1969. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine mechanisms to ensure that information from Garda investigations, court judgments and regulatory bodies can be used to identify repeat offenders in the construction sector and prevent them from re-establishing under new business identities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61226/26]

A statutory register for construction in Ireland is being established in line with the requirements of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/15/enacted/en/html). The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) was appointed in January 2023 as the statutory registration body for the register, which will be known as Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI).

The main objective of the Act is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector. This will benefit consumers and the general public.

Registration which will be applicable to all building works providers, and will require mandatory information in line with Part 4 of the Act including names, contact details, relevant division of registration, competent person, details of relevant convictions or sanctions, enforcement notices and order of high court as per the Building Control Act and any other information the registration body considers appropriate. Provisions for the investigation of complaints and the imposition of sanctions, including suspension or removal from the register are provided in the Act. Section 47 confers statutory powers on inspectors appointed by the registration body.

The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) which is an agency under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment ensures that company law is enforced independently and without the possibility of interference from any party in line with Companies Act 2014.

The CEA have significant powers to address corporate misconduct of any company operating in Ireland. Its functions include promoting and enforcing compliance with company law, investigating suspected offences under the Companies Act, prosecuting breaches of company law, referring cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution on indictment, and exercising a supervisory role over the activities of liquidators and receivers.