Priory Hall 'would not have happened' with builders' register

The Irish Home Builders Association has said the situation in Priory Hall could have been prevented if a national builders' register existed.

Residents at the complex have been forced to evacuate their homes because of fire safety concerns, most of them have moved into a nearby hotel.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the evacuation would not have been necessary if the developer, Thomas McFeely, had done his job properly.

Director of the IHBA Hubert Fitzpatrick said Priory Hall is "an exceptional case", but he said lots of people mistakenly turned their hand to building during the boom and a register is needed to make sure builders have the required skills.