asked the Minister for the Environment if it is true that the proposed building regulations are again being revised, even though they are not legally in force.

The answer is no.

Will the Minister agree that it is about time building regulations were introduced? We had draft regulations followed by a revised version of the draft regulations, followed by proposed regulations and now revised proposed regulations.

The Deputy will be aware that when the Second Reading of a Bill dealing with this matter was in progress I gave an undertaking to consult with the bodies concerned about certification and other provisions in the Bill. I am consulting with them and, hopefully, will conclude that shortly. We will then be in a position to deal with the Committee Stage of the Bill.

When is it expected to resolve the matter?

I hope to commence the Committee Stage within the next three or four weeks, subject to the consultations being completed.

Did the Minister receive a letter in October 1984 from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, surveyors and consulting engineers stating that they intended withdrawing from the talks which were taking place following the postponement of the debate on the Building Control Bill, 1984 in the House to allow those talks take place? Has the Minister read the letter?

They have not withdrawn from the talks.

Is the Minister aware of the letter they wrote to him that they were withdrawing?

I saw it. They did not say they were withdrawing.

Will the Minister explain what the position is?

I have responded to the letter requesting them to meet me. That letter went out about ten days ago but up to today I have not had a reply.

The Minister has asked them to meet him although they said they were breaking off the talks because they were not making any headway with him.

They did not say that.

That is the Minister's version. We will return to this matter next week.