Fine Gael Dublin North East Deputy, Terence Flanagan, has welcomed the announcement of new building regulation guidelines from the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, which he said will ensure that a situation such as the one that occurred at Priory Hall will never be seen again.

Mr Flanagan said: "The new building regulations, the Building Control Amendment Regulations 2013, are designed to restore consumer confidence in the building industry, to ensure that there is accountability that building developments are being constructed to the appropriate standard and to hold the people responsible where that is not the case.

"Once the new regulations come into effect, the onus will be on designers, builders and newly Assigned Certifiers, who will be charged with inspecting building projects at key stages of construction, to ensure that the works comply with building regulations. All parties will be compelled to sign mandatory certificates of compliance and will be held legally responsible if the project proves to be non-compliant or for any issues that arise. Professionals who are found to be wanting run the risk of being censured, suspended and ultimately removed from their professional body.

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"Over the last number of years we have witnessed myriad building developments which were poorly constructed; some of which have been affected with pyrite and others which breached fire regulations. This not only has the capacity to impose serious hardship on the families who are attempting to rectify the damage to their family home, but in the most serious cases pose a very real threat to the lives and safety of the families who inhabit those homes.

"By establishing a clear chain of responsibility for building work, better care will be taken and consumers will get the services they deserve. The disastrously regulated housing boom in Ireland has devastated the lives of many and this cannot be allowed to be repeated again in the future."

(CD)