Hi All and happy New Year. I like to keep up with the chat on this and the 
NRAC forum, but NRAC forum site when not used for a bit of time won't let 
you back in (working in a local authority the network will not allow 
cookies). Anyhow will use this forum instead it is a lot more user 
friendly). 

My thread is:
Ireland has released information about new planning/ building control 
requirements for access 'certificates' to be issued on new non-domestic 
building projects. These 'certificates' are to be similar to the fire 
certificates procedures. I wonder if anyone has heard who will be issuing 
these 'certificates' and would this idea be brought in here.  

I do understand that this certificate is virtually the same as our access 
statement procedure, but does it go further when it uses the framework/ 
guidelines as the fire certificates do. 

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Mr. Dick 
Roche, T.D Quoted. "In this day and age it is reasonable to expect that new 
buildings or buildings which have been extended or materially altered 
should be accessible to all, including the disabled, and I am convinced 
that the proposed introduction of a Disability Access Certificate under the 
Building Control Bill 2005 will bring great improvements in this area". 

(http://www.environ.ie/DOEI/DOEIPub.nsf/enSearchView/EF7397B23AD7321B8025709
1003BB340?OpenDocument&Lang=en)

I am in a Local Authority and my Council now look for access statements 
with all planning applications, would this be the next logical step for 
planning and building control. To have access statements at the begining 
and certificates at the end. Would this be a way of confirming that the 
access statemnet has been followed. (there is some out there that use a 
access statement for planning but don't follow it. when planning officers 
come out alot of issues are missed.)

Mr Roche also Quoted. " The Bill will also strengthen the enforcement 
powers of Building Control Authorities and simplify the process of taking 
legal proceedings under the Building Regulations ". 

If this came about, again who would issue these and would it be like CORGI, 
IEEE, or NESC Certificates and only qualified access officers' issue 
certificates. Would there be enough of us for this.   Anyone with any 
thoughts on this ethos of stricter control?

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