Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 1

Written Answers. - Timber Framed Structures.

Nora Owen

Question:

172 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether he has examined the possibility of allowing timber-framed structures as a primary method of construction to be used under the building regulations; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Irish company (details supplied) is unable to get any answer from his Department as to the reason their methods of building are rejected under the building regulations. [15838/97]

Richard Bruton

Question:

174 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason the technical guideline documents issued by his Department continue to insist that timber frame construction cannot be used in buildings over two storeys in spite of the fact that international practice permits up to six storey construction in timber frame and Forbairt have vetted construction over two storeys in Ireland to be in conformity with the building regulations; and his views on whether this approach by his Department is restricting the growth of a strong timber frame construction industry in Ireland capable of exploiting substantial overseas opportunities for export. [15282/97]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 174 together.

I refer to Question No. 360 of 30 September 1997.

In a letter dated 17 April 1997 to the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers Association (ITFMA), my Department set out its views on the technical issues involved.

As indicated in my reply of 30 September 1997, the proposed guidance in relation to party walls in houses of timber frame construction is still under consideration. In arriving at a final decision, I will bear in mind the various considerations referred to in the questions, subject to the primary objective of safeguarding building standards and protecting house purchasers and occupants.