The report follows a review undertaken by Mr. Garrett Fennell, Solicitor, (who currently chairs the Admissions Board established for the registration of Architect's under the Act of 2007), at the Minister's request in response to concerns about the registration of Architects, in particular the limited number of applications to date from practically-trained architects.
"I am pleased to have received this report and to publish it in full," commented Minister Hogan.
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"It identifies a number of practical changes which will be made immediately to improve the effectiveness of the registration process and a further set of legislative changes which will be considered more fully in the context of the Building Control Acts."
Minister Hogan welcomed the fact that the Report recognises that "consumer protection must be the primary focus of any regulatory system and should remain the key policy imperative against which the regulatory system for the registration of architects is assessed."
In agreement with this view the Minister said: "There is little point in having a register of architects unless members of the public can have confidence that those on the register meet the standard of competence required. It is important that any such system is rigorous, fair, proportionate and transparent and on this basis I am happy to accept the twenty or so recommendations included in this report which will, I believe, result in a fairer and more effective register of Architects."
Mr Hogan thanked Mr Fennell for a "thorough, comprehensive and balanced" report. An implementation plan has also been drawn up by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure that the recommendations are put into action.
(CD/JP)
