AN audit of Donegal’s quarries has found administrative non-compliance but little concern with the tested performance of the products themselves.
The purpose of the audit was to evaluate the compliance of block manufacturers and quarries with the Construction Products Regulation when placing concrete blocks or aggregates for concrete on the market.
The survey by the Housing Department found that, in general, there was a level of formal non-compliance among economic operators in Donegal. These issues primarily related to errors in and omissions of the paperwork. The report states that this generally did not reflect a concern with the tested performance of the products themselves.
As a result “corrective actions” were taken against three economic operators by the Market Surveillance Authorities which are now complete or in the process of being completed to the satisfaction of the authorities.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said, “I am committed to continuing to support the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office and the market surveillance authorities with the implementation of the ongoing National Market Surveillance Strategy.
“This Strategy proposes to continue with and expand on the extractive industries with the aim of contributing to a safer marketplace thus ensuring a high level of protection of public interests.
“While much work has been undertaken to strengthen the regulatory framework to ensure that products from extractive industries comply with the provisions of the Construction Products Regulation, I acknowledge that there is more to do in the context of the findings of the audit report and the broader Programme for government commitments.
“That’s why we are continuing to implement building control reforms which focus on ensuring strong and effective regulation in the building control system and the construction industry.
“In July 2022 we legislated for the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector. We are also progressing the establishment of an independent Building Standards Regulator to oversee building control nationwide and to act as custodian of the Building Control Management System.
“We know what has happened in the past, the impact of which a great number of people are still feeling, and government will not be complacent on this issue,” he added.
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