Sir, – As a practising consulting structural engineer, while reading the coverage on Priory Hall, I am struck by some simple questions (Home News, October 18th).
Who prepared the construction drawings in terms of fire safety? The apartment purchaser’s solicitors should have sought certification documentation on these apartments. This ordinarily comes in the form of an “opinion on compliance” with the planning permission(s) and fire safety certificate(s) as granted, and the wider building regulations. The opinion is a legal document, and is usually provided by either the architect or the consulting engineer. The purchaser would reasonably expect to place trust in such a professional, who, in turn, should carry professional indemnity insurance.
What documentation was provided to the purchaser’s solicitors? Who provided the opinion on compliance or similar certification? This surely is a bigger issue than the developer’s past.
There is no professional body to sanction developers. There are however professional bodies for architects and engineers; the RIAI, Engineers Ireland and the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland. These bodies, I would hope, in the interest of the standing of all responsible architects and engineers, are at present investigating this issue to see if any of their members have questions to answer. – Yours, etc,