Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Building Regulations.

Ivan Yates

Question:

348 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will bring forward the implementation of the building regulations to an earlier date than 2005 in view of the large volume of houses to be constructed in the immediate future. [25069/00]

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

I assume the Deputy is referring to the proposed amendment of Part L of the Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) to take account of Ireland's obligations, under the Kyoto Protocol, to limit the rate of increase in greenhouse gas emissions. My Department's original draft proposal envisaged a radical increase in the thermal performance and insulation standards for new housing in two phases – from 2002 and 2005.

The Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB) have been consulted on the proposal. The BRAB commissioned a consultancy study by the Energy Research Group (UCD) on the implications of the proposal for building systems widely used in the construction of new dwellings in Ireland and on indoor air climate. I understand that the UCD/ERG report was completed at the end of last month and will be considered at the next meeting of the BRAB on 9 November 2000. I expect that BRAB will advise me on the earliest practicable dates or date for amending Part L of the Building Regulations and the related Technical Guidance Document L, taking account of the UCD/ERG report, early in the new year. In the meantime, it would be premature for me to com ment on the likely definitive timing of the implementation of the relevant amendment.