Monthly Archives: May 2012

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Andrew Judge writes:

As you may be aware the Department of the Environment are proposing to alter the Building Control Regulations so that architects (or another building professional such as engineers) will be required by law to sign a Certificate on completion that says:

“Notwithstanding the responsibilities of other person/s or firms/s in relation to the works, I accept  responsibility and legal liability for the inspection of all works as necessary to ensure that they are neither defective nor contravene any requirements of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations”. (See page 13, paragraph 4 – here)

I’m sorry, but how can one person guarantee that an entire building like a hospital or fire station is perfectly built and free from defects?

Building is much more complicated than that. There’s lots of people involved, not least the Building Contractor who is not even mentioned in the Draft Building Control Regulations.

The deadline for submissions to be made to the Department of the Environment is this Thursday 24th May 2012. It is vital that every architect and engineer make themselves heard. Email your views to buildingstandards@environ.ie 

You can read more about the proposals here and here here.

Thanks.

The (now rather lonely) liberal conscience of the Irish Times writes:

A majority of voters, I would guess, are actually in one of two camps: (a) Yes, because there is no choice; (b) No, but ask us again when you’ve got the growth strategy worked out.

The first of these – we have to do it – is actually not a reason to vote Yes, it’s a reason to spoil one’s vote.

If there is no choice, a referendum is a charade. It is a parody of democracy.

The second option is “No, but . . .” It acknowledges there might be a context in which the fiscal treaty actually makes sense.

…A No vote with an implied invitation to come back when the bigger picture is visible may be the most honest response to the demand that we make a decision in ignorance.

And the kisser?

” new protocols require a new vote when the people have voted No, but not when they’ve voted Yes”

 

Treaty A Mere Clause In Contract Yet Unseen (Fintan O’Toole, Irish Times)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6ahv6jdyxM

Pure joy.

Ciaran McCann writes:

Hi, about a week ago you posted a video called Fun With Balls 3 on you site, and I thought if you liked that then you’d like our follow up video for it, Fun With Balls Ultimate. We’re just a bunch of lads from Donegal and we’d love for more people to see it.