Sir, - I refer to the interview with David Keane, President of the RIAI, which appeared in the Property Supplement of your paper on April 24th. While one can only have the greatest sympathy for architects in their position at the bottom of the professionals income table, there can be no such sympathy for Mr Keane when he states that "nearly all the building societies and banks, as well as the Law Society, are only prepared to accept certificates of compliance with the building regulations from RIAI members". This is simply not correct.
The issue of such certificates is not and should not be the sole province of the RIAI. Were this to be so, it would exclude many competent architects, not members of that body and also other qualified construction professionals. The reality is that a number of construction professional bodies, of which the Society of Chartered Surveyors is one, have members who regularly issue certificates of compliance, which are fully accepted by the Law Society and the lending institutions.
There, is, in fact, no legal requirement for certificates of compliance with the building regulations. However, the lending agencies generally require such certificates to ensure the involvement of a competent building professional in the design and/or supervision of the works. This is commendable and is supported by all construction professions. Yours, etc.,
Chief Executive,
The Society of
Chartered Surveyors, Wilton Place,
Dublin 2.