To ask the Minister of Finance to detail the engagement which occurred with affected businesses to understand the real economic impact prior to commencement of consultation concerning amendment of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and update to technical guidance.

During 2019/20 officials from my Department’s Building Standards Branch (BSB) attended a number of meetings of the local Construction Industry Forum (CIFNI) to brief members on progress with re-establishing the local Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC) and proposals for the Building Regulations Work Programme. The views on proposals for consultation on Fire Safety requirements in local Building regulations were taken into account in developing the policy. Officials also consulted with NIBRAC and its relevant Technical Sub-Committee in scoping draft consultation proposals. To date, no issues have been raised in relation to economic impacts by CIFNI members.

A draft Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) was prepared for the consultation proposals and provided as part of the documents issued. The analysis of consultation responses, which include submissions from affected business, when complete and following scrutiny by NIBRAC and the Departmental Committee will inform any revisions in finalising proposals and the RIA.