Number 21 of 2007: Building Control Act 2007
Number 21 of 2007: Building Control Act 2007
Number 21 of 2007: Building Control Act 2007
Explanatory Memorandum
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Number 21 of 2007
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART 1
Section
1. Short title, collective citation, construction and com-
mencement.
2. Interpretation.
PART 2
1
[No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
PART 3
Registration of Architects
PART 4
Registration of Quantity Surveyors
30. Nationals from other states eligible for registration (Part 4).
2
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.]
PART 5
Registration of Building Surveyors
44. Nationals from other states eligible for registration (Part 5).
PART 6
Fitness to Practise
PART 7
Miscellaneous Provisions
3
[No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
64. Regulations.
Acts Referred to
4
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Number 21 of 2007
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PART 1
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Building Control Act 2007. Short title,
collective citation,
construction and
(2) The Building Control Act 1990 and this Act may be cited commencement.
together as the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007 and shall be
construed together as one.
(3) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the
Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with
reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days
may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.
5
Pt.1 S.2 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
6
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.1 S.2
7
Pt.1 S.2 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
PART 2
8
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.2 S.5
9
Pt.2 S.5 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
10
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.2 S.5
11
Pt.2 S.5 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(a) work,
and
Amendment of Act 7.—The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following after
of 1990 — new section 7:
sections 7A and 7B.
“Fees in 7A.—(1) Subject to the approval of the
respect of an Minister, An Bord Pleanála (hereafter in this
appeal.
section referred to as ‘the Board’) may determine
12
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.2 S.7
13
Pt.2 S.7 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
14
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.2 S.9
or
15
Pt.2 S.10 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
16
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.2
12.—The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following after Amendment of Act
section 17: of 1990 — new
sections 17A and
17B.
“Payment of 17A.—Where a court imposes a fine or affirms
fines to or varies a fine imposed by another court for an
building offence under this Act in proceedings brought by
control
authority. a building control authority, it shall, on application
of the building control authority (made before the
time of such imposition, affirmation or variation),
provide by order for the payment of the amount
of the fine to the building control authority and
such payment may be enforced by the authority as
if it were due to it on foot of a decree or order
made by the court in civil proceedings.
Part 3
Registration of Architects
13.—(1) The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland shall be the Registration body
registration body for the purposes of this Part. and Admissions
Board (Part 3).
17
Pt.3 S.13 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(2) For the purposes of the Directive, the registration body is the
competent authority in the State as respects architects.
18
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3 S.14
(e) a person who has been employed in the State for at least
7 years under the supervision of an architect (who is
eligible for registration under this section) and who, as
part of a social betterment scheme or part-time third level
course, attains a certificate or diploma of degree standard
equivalent to any degree, diploma or qualification
referred to in paragraph (a) and who has passed a
professional practice examination specified by a body
referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of that
paragraph;
19
Pt.3 S.14 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
20
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3 S.15
21
Pt.3 S.15 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
shall, to the extent that the terms of those provisions would prevent
the equal treatment or recognition mentioned in subsection (7) being
accorded to the person mentioned in that subsection, be read subject
to such modifications as will allow that equal treatment or
recognition to be accorded to that person.
22
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3 S.16
23
Pt.3 S.16 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(9) The Admissions Board shall satisfy itself that the person who
makes an application under this section has a knowledge of language
necessary for practising architecture in the State.
(b) that—
24
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3 S.16
17.—(1) A person applying for registration under this Part shall, Fees (Part 3).
at the time of applying, pay the specified fee to the registration body
and, in addition, as a condition of continuing to be registered, pay a
specified annual fee on a date as may be specified by the
registration body.
(4) Where a person’s name has been removed from the register
for non-payment of fees and the person pays the outstanding fees
together with any other specified fees, the Registrar shall re-enter
the person’s name in the register and it shall be treated as having
been re-entered on the date it was removed.
18.—(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), a person who— Prohibition against
using term
“architect” unless
(a) not being registered under this Part, uses the title registered.
“architect”, either alone or in combination with any other
words or letters, or name, title or description, implying
that the person is so registered,
25
Pt.3 S.18 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(6) The registration body may by rules provide that subsection (3)
shall not apply in relation to a body corporate, firm or partnership
unless it has provided to the registration body such information,
necessary for determining whether that subsection applies, as may
be provided for in such rules.
26
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3
19.—(1) The registration body shall appoint a Registrar to be Registrar (Part 3).
responsible for keeping the register under this Part.
(7) The Registrar shall ensure the register is kept up to date and
shall make it available for inspection at the office of the Registrar
during normal working hours.
(2) A person whose name has been removed from the register
may apply to the Registrar to have his or her name restored to the
register and, on application and payment of the specified fee, but
subject to any conditions imposed by the Admissions Board with
respect to such restoration, the Registrar shall restore it to the
register.
27
Pt.3 S.20 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
informing the person of the decision, the date on which it was made
and the reasons for it.
28
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3 S.22
(5) The panel interview and any interview under this section shall
each be recorded in writing or in such other form as the members of
the panel concerned or the Technical Assessment Board, as
appropriate, may decide, and additional information may,
subsequent to the interview, be required to be submitted by the
applicant to those who conducted the interview.
29
Pt.3 S.22 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
Appeals Board 24.—(1) The registration body shall establish an Appeals Board.
(Part 3).
(2) The Appeals Board shall consist of a chairperson and 5
ordinary members, the latter appointed by the registration body as
follows:
30
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3 S.24
(3) The appeal shall specify the decision to which the appeal
relates and the grounds on which the appeal rests.
(d) give any other direction for the purpose of the proceedings
that appears to the chairperson to be fair and reasonable.
31
Pt.3 S.25 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(c) where the appellant was the person who had lodged the
complaint with the Professional Conduct Committee
under Part 6, the registered architect in respect of whom
the complaint was made, stating the decision taken on the
appeal, the date on which it was made and the reasons for
it.
(b) annul the decision and direct the Appeals Board to make
a new decision, or
and the Court may direct how the costs of the appeal are to be borne.
32
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.3
PART 4
33
Pt.4 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
34
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.4 S.29
35
Pt.4 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
36
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.4 S.30
(9) The Admissions Board shall satisfy itself that the person who
makes an application under this section has a knowledge of language
necessary for practising quantity surveying in the State.
(b) that—
37
Pt.4 S.30 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
shall, to the extent that the terms of these provisions would prevent
the equal treatment or recognition mentioned in subsection (16)
being accorded to the person mentioned in that subsection, be read
subject to such modifications as will allow that equal treatment or
recognition to be accorded to that person.
Fees (Part 4). 31.—(1) A person applying for registration under this Part shall,
at the time of applying, pay the specified fee to the registration body
and, in addition, as a condition of continuing to be registered, pay a
38
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.4 S.31
(4) Where a person’s name has been removed from the register
for non-payment of fees and the person pays the outstanding fees
together with any other specified fees, the Registrar shall re-enter
the person’s name in the register and it shall be treated as having
been re-entered on the date it was removed.
39
Pt.4 S.32 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(5) The registration body may by rules provide that subsection (3)
shall not apply in relation to a body corporate, firm or partnership
unless it has provided to the registration body such information,
necessary for determining whether that subsection applies, as may
be provided for in such rules.
Registrar (Part 4). 33.—(1) The registration body shall appoint a Registrar to be
responsible for keeping the register under this Part.
40
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.4 S.33
(7) The Registrar shall ensure the register is kept up to date and
shall make it available for inspection at the office of the Registrar
during normal working hours.
(2) A person whose name has been removed from the register
may apply to the Registrar to have his or her name restored to the
register and, on application and payment of the specified fee, but
subject to any conditions imposed by the Admissions Board with
respect to such restoration, the Registrar shall restore it to the
register.
41
Pt.4 S.35 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
42
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.4 S.36
38.—(1) The registration body shall establish an Appeals Board. Appeals Board
(Part 4).
(2) The Appeals Board shall consist of a chairperson and 5
ordinary members, the latter appointed by the registration body as
follows:
43
Pt.4 S.38 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(3) The appeal shall specify the decision to which the appeal
relates and the grounds on which the appeal rests.
(d) give any other direction for the purpose of the proceedings
that appears to the chairperson to be fair and reasonable.
44
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.4 S.39
(c) where the appellant was the person who had lodged the
complaint with the Professional Conduct Committee
under Part 6, the registered quantity surveyor in respect
of whom the complaint was made, stating the decision
taken on the appeal, the date on which it was made and
the reasons for it.
(b) annul the decision and direct the Appeals Board to make
a new decision, or
and the Court may direct how the costs of the appeal are to be borne.
45
Pt.4 S.40 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
Certain other 41.—(1) If the Admissions Board fails to make a decision referred
jurisdiction of to in subsection (12) of section 30 within—
Appeals Board
(Part 4).
(a) unless paragraph (b) applies, the period specified in that
subsection (12), or
PART 5
46
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.5
47
Pt.5 S.43 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
48
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.5 S.44
49
Pt.5 S.44 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(9) The Admissions Board shall satisfy itself that the person has
a knowledge of language necessary for practising building surveying
in the State.
(b) that—
50
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.5 S.44
shall, to the extent that the terms of these provisions would prevent
the equal treatment or recognition mentioned in subsection (16)
being accorded to the person mentioned in that subsection, be read
subject to such modifications as will allow that equal treatment or
recognition to be accorded to that person.
45.—(1) A person applying for registration under this Part shall, Fees (Part 5).
at the time of applying, pay the specified fee to the registration body
and, in addition, as a condition of continuing to be registered, pay a
specified annual fee on a date as may be specified by the
registration body.
(4) Where a person’s name has been removed from the register
for non-payment of fees and the person pays the outstanding fees
together with any other specified fees, the Registrar shall re-enter
51
Pt.5 S.45 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
52
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.5 S.46
(5) The registration body may by rules provide that subsection (3)
shall not apply in relation to a body corporate, firm or partnership
unless it has provided to the registration body such information,
necessary for determining whether that subsection applies, as may
be provided for in such rules.
47.—(1) The registration body shall appoint a Registrar to be Registrar (Part 5).
responsible for keeping the register under this Part.
(7) The Registrar shall ensure the register is kept up to date and
shall make it available for inspection at the office of the Registrar
during normal working hours.
(2) A person whose name has been removed from the register
may apply to the Registrar to have his or her name restored to the
register and, on application and payment of the specified fee, but
subject to any conditions imposed by the Admissions Board with
53
Pt.5 S.48 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
54
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.5 S.50
55
Pt.5 S.51 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
Appeals Board 52.—(1) The registration body shall establish an Appeals Board.
(Part 5).
(2) The Appeals Board shall consist of a chairperson and 5
ordinary members, the latter appointed by the registration body as
follows:
(3) The appeal shall specify the decision to which the appeal
relates and the grounds on which the appeal rests.
56
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.5 S.53
(d) give any other direction for the purpose of the proceedings
that appears to the chairperson to be fair and reasonable.
57
Pt.5 S.53 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(c) where the appellant was the person who had lodged the
complaint with the Professional Conduct Committee
under Part 6, the registered building surveyor in respect
of whom the complaint was made, stating the decision
taken on the appeal, the date on which it was made and
the reasons for it.
(b) annul the decision and direct the Appeals Board to make
a new decision, or
and the Court may direct how the costs of the appeal are to be borne.
Certain other 55.—(1) If the Admissions Board fails to make a decision referred
jurisdiction of to in subsection (12) of section 44 within—
Appeals Board
(Part 5).
(a) unless paragraph (b) applies, the period specified in that
subsection (12), or
58
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.5 S.55
PART 6
Fitness to Practise
56.—(1) The registration body shall prepare a code (in this Part Establishment of
referred to as the “code”) specifying the standards of professional Professional
Conduct Standards.
conduct and practice that shall be adhered to by registered
professionals.
(4) The registration body shall take into account any comment
received by it in accordance with an invitation under subsection
(3)(a) and any opinion in writing of the Competition Authority
received by it in accordance with a request under subsection (3)(b)
in relation to the draft code or any amendment of it before it
prepares the code or the amendment.
(5) The registration body shall provide a copy of the code it has
prepared to anyone who requests it, on payment of a reasonable
charge, or without charge where it considers it appropriate.
(2) Where the Committee is of the opinion that a prima facie case
has not been established for an inquiry under subsection (5) with
respect to the complaint, it shall so inform the complainant in writing
and shall not proceed further.
59
Pt.6 S.57 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(6) For an inquiry under this section, the Committee has the
powers, rights and privileges vested in the High Court or a judge
thereof in hearing an action, for the purpose of—
60
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.6 S.57
(e) direct that the person’s name remain on the register but
impose such conditions for the name remaining on the
register as it considers appropriate, to be complied with
by the registered professional,
61
Pt.6 S.58 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
under this Act, the decision of the Committee is stayed until the
appeal is disposed of, including any period provided for a further
appeal to the High Court.
(b) (i) such an appeal taken against the decision has been
disposed of and the decision has been confirmed
(with or without amendment of it), and
(6) The Registrar may apply to the High Court for confirmation
of a decision of the Committee to exercise the powers under
subsection (2)(b), (c), (d) or (e) and, if the Registrar so applies, the
High Court, on the hearing of the application, shall, unless it sees
good reason to the contrary, declare accordingly and, where the
declaration relates to a decision to exercise the powers under
subsection (2)(d), either (as the Court may consider proper) direct
the Registrar to erase the name of such person from the register
concerned or direct that during a specified period (beginning not
earlier than 7 days after the decision of the Court) registration of the
person’s name in that register shall not have effect.
(7) On erasing the name of a person from any register under this
section, the Registrar shall forthwith send by prepaid registered post
to such person, at the person’s address as stated in the register, notice
in writing of the erasure.
(9) The name of any person that has been erased under this
section may be restored to the register concerned on the direction of
the Committee, but not otherwise, and the Committee may attach
such conditions as it sees fit to the restoration (including payment of
a fee not exceeding the fee provided for an application for
registration in the first instance).
62
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.]
PART 7
Miscellaneous Provisions
63
Pt.7 S.60 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
Registration body 61.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a registration body may arrange
may seek assistance with any person to assist it, or any other board or committee
and make rules.
established under this Act, in the proper discharge of its or their
functions.
64
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.7 S.61
(4) Before making rules, the registration body shall publish a draft
of the rules and circulate them to the board or committee affected
for its comments.
62.—(1) A registration body may specify that a fee of a specified Registration body
amount shall be payable to it in respect of the doing of any of the may specify fees.
following, namely:
64.—(1) The Minister may make regulations for prescribing any Regulations.
matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed, or
in relation to any matter referred to in this Act as the subject of
regulations.
65
Pt.7 S.64 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
(3) Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid before each
House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a
resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House
within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the
regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled
accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of any previously
done thereunder.
Correction of 65.—(1) For the purpose of keeping a register provided for under
register. this Act, the Registrar thereof shall correct all verbal and clerical
errors in such register, remove therefrom all entries procured by
fraud or misrepresentation, enter in the register every change which
comes to the Registrar’s knowledge in the addresses of registered
professionals, and remove therefrom the names of all persons whose
death has either been notified to, or comes to the knowledge of, the
Admissions Board.
(2) Where the Registrar takes any action under subsection (1), the
Registrar shall forthwith notify the person concerned or next of kin,
as the case may be, if such person can be identified, of the action
taken and the reasons therefor.
(a) within 12 months from the date on which the offence was
committed, or
66
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.7 S.67
(4) Bye-laws made by the registration body may exclude from the
foregoing class any person who is not resident in the State at a
specified date or who does not comply with any specified condition
or requirement which the registration body considers appropriate to
specify in the bye-laws for the purposes of ensuring that the bye-laws
operate in a practical manner.
(5) Bye-laws under this section shall provide that the election
referred to in subsection (3) shall be held by means of a ballot and
in a manner specified in the bye-laws.
67
Pt.7 S.69 [No. 21.] Building Control Act 2007. [2007.]
68
[2007.] Building Control Act 2007. [No. 21.] Pt.7 S.71
(6) There may be reckoned for the purposes of that majority the
chairperson of the board or committee, as the case may be, if he or
she is present at the meeting.
73.—(1) A registration body shall, as soon as may be after the Annual report by
end of each year, prepare a report of its proceedings under this Act registration body.
during that year.
(2) That report shall include a copy of the body’s accounts for the
year concerned in so far as they relate to its income and expenditure
in respect of the performance of its functions under this Act during
that year and those accounts shall be accounts that have been
certified by an auditor who has been appointed to carry out an audit
of them for the year concerned.
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Click here for Act
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
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General
In summary, this Bill provides for the following.
1
• The relevant registers will be administered by—
PART 1
(Sections 1 to 2)
PART 2
(Sections 3 to 12)
2
Section 4 contains an amendment to section 3 of the Building Con-
trol Act, 1990 to provide for the making of building regulations for
building practices that would assist in the detection or prevention
of crime.
(iv) provision is made for the granting, by the local Building Con-
trol Authority, of a Disability Access Certificate (DAC)
for non domestic buildings and apartment blocks to cer-
tify that the design, in the opinion of the building control
authority, complies with Part M of the building
regulations.
3
commenced or completed without a fire safety, disability or reg-
ularization certificate where such certificate was required or the dis-
continuance of works, or restricting or prohibiting the use of the
building until such certificates have been granted. It also provides for
the recoupment of prosecution costs incurred by a Building Control
Authority, if so ordered by the Court
PART 3
Registration of Architects
(Sections 13 to 27)
4
(iii) the chairperson, who will be appointed by the Minister will
be a solicitor, barrister or a former judge of the Circuit
Court, High Court or Supreme Court.
Section 14 sets out the eligibility criteria for admission to the archi-
tects register for persons holding approved qualifications, including
nationals of EU Member States, the European Economic Area
(EEA), the Swiss Confederation and Third Countries. It also pro-
vides that membership of the registration body is not a prerequisite
for registration and that the same registration fee will apply to
members and non-members of the body.
5
action decided. Nothing in this section will prevent the Professional
Conduct Committee from refusing to restore a person’s name to the
register on the grounds of unfitness to practice architecture or
attaching certain conditions to the entry, whereupon the registrar
will notify the person of the decision taken, the date and the
reasons therefore.
6
(i) 2 architects to be nominated by the registration body, neither
of whom will be a member of any other Board or Com-
mittee established under this Part
(ii) advising the appellant of the right to present the case or, at
their own expense, through a legal representative
(ii) annul the decision and direct the relevant Board or Commit-
tee to make a new decision, or
7
appeal must be lodged within 3 months of the date of the decision
of the Appeals Board. The Court may—
(ii) overturn the decision and direct the Appeals Board to make
a new decision
Section 27 provides that the Appeals Board will also have juris-
diction in the case of complaints arising from non- decisions by the
relevant Board within the period specified under Section 15 (5) or
section 16 (11) in assessment of applications for registration.
PART 4
(Sections 28 to 41)
Section 29 sets out the eligibility criteria for admission to the quan-
tity surveyors register for persons holding approved qualifications,
8
including nationals of EU Member States, the European Economic
Area in accordance with EU obligations. It includes nationals or resi-
dents of States which are members of the World Trade Organisation
and Third Countries.
9
Section 26. The Board will be comprised of a Chairperson and 7
members as follows:
10
(iii) the chairperson, who will be appointed by the Minister, will
be a solicitor, barrister or a former judge of the Circuit
Court, High Court or Supreme Court.
(ii) advising the appellant of the right to present the case or, at
their own expense, through a legal representative
(ii) annul the decision and direct the relevant Board or Commit-
tee to make a new decision, or
(ii) overturn the decision and direct the Appeals Board to make
a new decision
11
In the case of an appeal from a decision of the Professional Con-
duct Committee, the Court may admit evidence of a person of stand-
ing in the quantity surveying profession as to what constitutes pro-
fessional misconduct or poor professional performance. The Court
may also direct how the costs of the application are to be borne
Section 41 provides that the Appeals Board will also have juris-
diction in the case of complaints arising from non- decisions by the
relevant Board within the period specified under Section 30(12) or
section 30(13) in assessment of applications for registration.
PART 5
(Sections 42 to 55)
12
Section 44 provides for application for recognition of qualifications
by persons from Member States who are eligible to apply to the
Admissions Board for registration under EU Directive 2005/36/EC
(Chapter 1, Title III). It sets out the procedures for assessment of
such applications, including the procedures for interview by the
Board, the undertaking of an aptitude test/adaptation period, where
such is considered necessary. The Board must make its decision on
the application within a 3 month period of the date of receipt of
a valid application. There is provision for extending the period for
assessment by 1 extra month in specified cases.
13
(iii) the chairperson, who will be appointed by the Minister, will
be a solicitor, barrister or a former judge of the Circuit
Court, High Court or Supreme Court
14
substantive matters and be lodged within 3 months of the date of the
decision being appealed. A witness at a hearing will have the same
immunities and privileges as a witness before the High Court.
The procedures of the Appeals Board shall make provision for:
(ii) advising the appellant of the right to present the case or, at
their own expense, through a legal representative
(ii) annul the decision and direct the relevant Board or Commit-
tee to make a new decision, or
(ii) overturn the decision and direct the Appeals Board to make
a new decision
Section 55 provides that the Appeals Board will also have juris-
diction in the case of complaints arising from non- decisions by the
relevant Board within the period specified under Section 44 (12) or
section 44 (13) in assessment of applications for registration.
15
PART 6
Fitness To Practice
(Sections 56 to 59)
The PCC, when acting under this section will have the powers,
rights or privileges vested in the High Court or a judge of the High
Court in regard to enforcing the attendance of witnesses, examining
witnesses under oath or compelling the production of documents.
Witnesses appearing at an inquiry under this section will have the
same immunities and privileges as witnesses before the High Court.
Where the PCC has found the registrant not guilty of professional
misconduct or poor professional performance, it must so notify the
complainant and advise of the right of appeal to the Appeals Board.
Persons who fail to attend a hearing, fail to produce necessary
documents or refuse to take an oath or answer questions which the
Committee may lawfully ask, will be guilty of an offence and will be
liable, on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding \5,000 and
\500 for each day of an ongoing offence and /or to imprisonment for
a term not exceeding 12 months.
Section 58 provides that where the PCC finds there has been no
professional misconduct or poor professional performance by the
16
registrant, it will notify the complainant and the registrant of the
decision and take no further action. Where the Committee finds that
a registrant is guilty of professional misconduct or poor professional
performance it may do one or more of the following:
PART 7
Miscellaneous Provisions
(Sections 60 to 73)
17
temporary or occasional basis in the State, in accordance with the
Directive. It outlines the procedures for such registration.
(iv) removing the name of any person from the register on the
application of that person;
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Section 67 provides that summary proceedings for offences under
Part 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Act may be brought and prosecuted by
the registration body. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Petty
Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851, summary proceedings may be com-
menced within 12 months from the date of the offence or within 6
months from the date on which sufficient evidence to justify pro-
ceedings, comes to the knowledge of the person instituting the pro-
ceedings, whichever is later. However, no such proceedings can be
commenced later than 5 years from the date of the offence commit-
ted. A certificate signed by the person shall be admitted as evidence
in any legal proceedings as to the date or dates such evidence came
to his or her knowledge, without proof of the signature of the person,
unless the contrary is shown.
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