JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT debate -
Wednesday, 27 Apr 2005

Building Standards: Presentation.

Chairman

We will hear presentations by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Irish Concrete Federation on building standards and energy performance in construction in Ireland. It has been agreed that we will take the presentations separately so representatives of the Irish Concrete Federation might move temporarily to the public gallery. I apologise for any inconvenience.

I welcome the officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Today's discussion will deal with issues relating to building standards in general and in particular energy performance in construction. The departmental officials are Ms Mary Moylan, Mr. Michael McCarthy and Mr. Patrick Minogue. Perhaps you will make your presentation.

Ms Mary Moylan

We are glad to have the opportunity to speak to the committee about the building regulations, particularly part L which deals with thermal performance. The Department's objective in the building regulations is to promote high building standards. Building standards are governed by national building regulations operative in Ireland since 1 June 1992. The building code does not promote or discriminate against any building system. Standards are performance based and it is a matter for systems to demonstrate compliance with those standards.

Traditionally, we have included a transitional provision in amending building regulations. This is a practical provision designed to allow all those involved in the building process time to adapt. It is also intended to prevent disruption of the housing programme by allowing houses at the design stage to proceed to construction without delay.

Thermal performance standards are laid down under part L of the building regulations on the conservation of fuel and energy. To help designers, builders and others to comply with part L, the Department publishes a supporting technical guidance document or TGD L. While TGD L is not mandatory, most designers and builders opt to follow it in practice because compliance with TGD L is deemed to constitute compliance with the regulations. Thermal performance and insulation standards for new dwellings under part L of the building regulations have been progressively increased since their introduction in 1992 — in 1998 and again in 2003 — and are due for further upward adjustment by 2008. The 2003 regulations, for example, reflect a 40% increase in the thermal performance for walls. Independent research has shown that Ireland's elemental U-values and insulation standards for new dwellings, as revised in 2003, are among the highest in the EU.

The process for drawing up the building regulations might be of interest to the committee. Since 1996, proposals for amending the regulations are formulated in an open and transparent way, which protects against any improper or undue influence being brought to bear by particular sectional interests. The amending regulations and any related amended technical guidance are drafted in the Department. The draft amendments are then considered, and usually amended, by the Building Regulations Advisory Body. This body stands established under section 14 of the Building Control Act 1990 and includes nominees from various construction industry organisations, local authority managers, the Chief Fire Officers Association and the Irish Building Control Institute.

The Minister then approves publication of the draft amendments for public and industry comment. There is usually a period of three months for that public consultation. These comments are then reviewed and, in consultation with the advisory body, the proposed amendments are reviewed and submitted to the Minister for final approval and signature. We believe that the integrity of this regulatory and consultative process is widely accepted.

With regard to the EU directive on energy performance of buildings, Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, today published the draft action plan for implementation of this directive. The action plan was drawn up by senior officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and SEI. The directive will be legally transposed, on time, by 1 January 2006 through the proposed Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2005. This is due to be published in the autumn. There will also be regulations under the European Communities Act and building regulations under the Building Control Act 1990.

The action plan will provide for progressive implementation of the building energy rating provisions over the period 2006-09, starting with new dwellings. In this connection, we intend to amend the building code to require an overall energy assessment methodology for new dwellings. This will form the basis of a building energy rating which will be expressed in simple terms, A, B, C, D and so forth, similar to the system that applies for new fridges and washing machines. It will be easily understandable.

SEI will plan and quality control the training of building energy assessors in the new energy rating system, in consultation with building professional organisations. It is estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 assessors will be required to energy rate newly built houses and existing houses when they are sold or let. This estimate assumes that most energy rating will be done by specially trained building professionals, whether architects, engineers or surveyors, on a part-time basis. SEI will also develop software and hardware systems to support domestic energy rating. It is then our intention to extend the rating to non-domestic buildings. It is generally accepted that determining an energy assessment methodology and related rating systems for non-domestic buildings is much more complex than for dwellings.

The action plan published today will be available for public consultation for a period of three months. We will then, in consultation with SEI and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, consider the comments received and the Minister will finalise the document, which will be submitted to the European Commission.

The committee has had discussions about timber frame buildings. The Department has not shown bias against the timber frame method of construction. According to the timber frame industry estimates, timber frame accounted for less than 5% of house building in the early 1990s, it now accounts for approximately 30% of house completions and will account for 50% or more by 2010. The Department funded a major study by independent consultants, called Timber Frame Housing in Ireland, which was published in December 2003 for public and industry comment and consultation.

The Department is in the process of implementing 36 recommendations arising from that study, with the broad support of the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers Association, ITFMA. I will mention some of the implementation measures that are under way. In 2005 and next year the National Standards Authority of Ireland will organise training courses for timber frame erection supervisors. This will be funded by FÁS. The Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers Association and the Department is funding a code of practice for time frame assembly on site. This will increase and improve the building of timber frame. In 2006, it is intended that the Minister will publish a package of draft amendments to the building code. These will explicitly cater for timber frame. Obviously, they will build on the training course and the assembly manual developed by the NSAI. Most importantly, in 2005 local authorities will procure 12 pilot social housing schemes to evaluate the timber frame option.

The Department's aim is to set high building standards and to progressively upgrade these standards. The standards are performance based and do not discriminate for or against particular systems. In partnership with Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, we are committed to implementing the energy performance of buildings directive.

My colleagues and I will be happy to answer the committee's questions.

Chairman

I congratulate the Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland on publishing the draft action plan on the EU energy performance of buildings directive today. I welcome the commitment that this will be legally transposed by 1 January next year. That is a welcome development. I hope this committee had some role in helping you in your endeavours.

Deputy Cuffe

I welcome the happy coincidence of today's publication. I am delighted it occurs on the same day that we are discussing this issue. It would perhaps have been more useful to us if we had prior sight of it, given that the departmental representatives are before the committee. However, I am sure that was not possible within the timescale in which we are operating.

It has been an exceptionally busy decade for the Irish construction industry. We have seen the construction of more homes in Ireland within the past ten years than we probably saw in any ten-year period during the 20th century. That, in turn, means that the standards to which those homes were built will have a significant effect on our energy performance over several generations to come.

It is with regret that I look at the discussions that occurred in the late 1990s regarding improvements in the building regulations. We could go into all the small print on this, but the bottom line is that homes are still being built today that only comply with the 1997 regulations, as a result of the actions of this Department. I am at a loss to understand why the building regulations were not tightened up to a high level in 1998. I am concerned at internal documentation within the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which, as far as I can see, stalled new values and improvements in building regulations. In memoranda, the Department said this was done to improve building ability and not to move ahead of the UK, which certainly seems curious when viewed with hindsight. At a time when UK standards are ahead of ours because every new and upgraded home is fitted with new condensing boilers, less than 5% of Irish homes are so equipped. It seems, therefore, that the UK has moved rapidly ahead of Ireland where homes are still being built to a low standard compared to our colleagues in Europe.

From 1998 to 2003, 250,000 new homes were built. A huge amount of energy is consumed at domestic level so if we are to reach our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol much of the tightening up will have to be done there. I would like some explanation from the Department as to why we did not tighten up standards to a higher degree five, six or seven years ago.

Will the Department comment on the EU energy performance of buildings directive and state whether it will be brought into force from 1 January 2006? If so, will it apply to all new homes or all new buildings, as I understand it from the directive's wording?

Recently, there were various public pronouncements by the Department and the Minister. The Department referred to standards elsewhere in Europe, but what data is it using for that? From what studies is it quoting? I am not quite sure what its sources are. I know the EURIMA report has been quoted and if that is the Department's source for continental figures, is the Department happy with the methodology of that report? It seems that standards have not moved fast enough and I am not convinced that the standards in practice, as opposed to the standards in theory, are adequate.

Do building inspectors, whether employed by the Department or local authorities, ensure that new homes comply with building standards? Can the Department provide figures for that? Is there 99% or 100% compliance? With regard to Partel in particular, what degree of compliance do we get? I am interested in getting an answer to those questions.

All sorts of assertions and allegations have been made in the media, including one assertion that some commentators are putting out misleading and untruthful information. Does the Department have any background to the concern that was voiced by the Minister?

Chairman

There are a lot of questions there. I call Deputy O'Dowd.

Deputy O’Dowd

I will have to leave the meeting to contribute to a Bill in the Dáil at 3.45 p.m. It is not that I am not interested in this debate; I have no choice but to attend the Dáil later. I represent the constituency of Louth where there is a major cement manufacturing company. I wish to state that my wife is an employee of a major national cement manufacturer. While that will not colour my views, I want to make those points clear to everybody.

Approximately 250,000 people are employed in the construction industry and last year 77,000 homes were finished, which is a massive output. I agree with Deputy Cuffe about building output in the past ten years. The key issue for me is that whatever the consumer is buying, whether it is a timber frame or concrete home, or an apartment, it should be constructed to the highest possible standards. Consumers deserve good value for money. Much of the housing being built is generally not of great quality. Builders get away with what they can, rather than putting the highest possible quality of design into construction.

In some respects, the Department is the policeman of building regulations but I am not asking it to comment on the use of timber versus concrete in construction. One of the biggest issues is the quality of design because the Department is loosening the regulations on density. Some 20 years ago, development plans included a density of ten houses per acre, but at this stage houses would be built in one's garden shed. There has been a massive increase in the density of housing but the quality of the design build is not as good. What proposals does the Department have, if any, to counteract this? The Department may say that standards are high, but are they the best available? It is a question of the superlatives the Department uses in its regulations. I would like to see the highest possible design standards employed and I am convinced that is not done at the moment.

Notwithstanding the views of the various industries concerned, we expect the Department to be a beacon of light in this regard and effectively inflexible in deciding on those issues. It should insist that is what consumers will get. The average house price is an absolute rip-off for young couples. In Dublin it is over €300,000 so young people cannot afford to buy those houses now. I want to ensure that people get value for money as far as possible. How much better can the Department do its job than at present? What are the internationally accepted best standards, rather than the ones the Department may, or may not, be using?

Chairman

There are a number of speakers offering but, in fairness, I will ask our visitors to reply to the questions that have been posed so far.

Ms Moylan

Thank you, Chairman. I thank Deputies Cuffe and O'Dowd for their questions. The Department's objective is to have high building standards, certainly as regards energy conservation, that enable us to deal with our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. The Department is a multi-functional one which enables it to function very well concerning its responsibility for housing, the environment, planning and building controls. In terms of building standards and the 2003 standards, Deputy Cuffe referred to documentation from the Department dating back to 1998. In response to Deputy O'Dowd, the Department is working on the basis of continually increasing those standards. Since 1993 the standards have been increased in 1998 and 2003 and our intention is to increase them again within the next few years. We are moving on an upward trajectory all the time in terms of getting better standards. However, in assessing standards and the appropriate standards, we obviously have regard to the capacity of the building industry to deliver on those standards, the implications for the types of construction in Ireland, cost and, importantly for the Department, in terms of ensuring the standards do not have an impact on housing output at a time of concern about housing demand and the cost of housing.

At the same time, we have ambitious targets. The standards set in 2003 were introduced in one go. Our initial intention was to introduce them in two tranches but we decided against that. They are a 40% improvement on the previous standards set in 1998. By any measure, that is a substantial improvement.

These standards can be met by all methods of building in Ireland, whether twin leaf, which uses solid blocks, cavity block and timber frame, but they are met by the use of insulation. They are testing and ambitious standards and it is our intention that they should be revived and updated again. We obviously aim for as good a design as we can get and we follow the European standards and take them into account. That answers a number of questions raised.

In terms of the introduction of the directive, the consultation document is out for consultation. The document proposes that building energy ratings will apply to new dwellings from 1 January 2007, to other new buildings from 2008 and to existing dwellings and other existing buildings being offered for sale or for rent from 1 January 2009. That is to allow us to carry out necessary changes to building regulations and to train professionals to carry out the ratings. These are the standards we propose, so obviously we look forward to the comments we will receive from the public and the various interests on them.

In terms of the studies, the figures we quote in regard to Irish values arrived from the EURIMA publication. My understanding is that we are happy with the comparability of the information there.

Deputy Cuffe

The Department is happy with the methodology.

Ms Moylan

That is my understanding. Perhaps one of my colleagues wishes to add to that. Mr. Patrick Minogue is a senior adviser and engineer.

Mr. Patrick Minogue

We obviously were not involved in the study. To the degree we understand the information was collected from the various countries and to the degree we know standards in regulations in countries through contact with them, our requirements are up to international standards. In this area, there is always a difficulty making comparisons because countries specify their requirements in different ways. This was a fairly crude comparison of insulation requirements adjusted for weather conditions in the different countries. Broadly speaking, we are happy that our standards are among the better European standards.

Deputy Cuffe

My understanding is that the EURIMA standard is a trade publication, that there was no specific information from Ireland and that it stated that Irish practice mirrors the UK mainland which would seem to be slightly less than thorough.

Mr. Minogue

It may well have stated that but the figures it gave are different from the UK ones. Our standards are different from those in the UK. In terms of insulation, our standards are higher than UK ones at present. The UK has proposals and is in consultation. This happens all the time in that standards are updated in both countries but it seems to leapfrog slightly. At present our standards are higher than those in the UK and that is recognised in that document.

Deputy Cuffe

Is Mr. Minogue happy that it looked at standards in the South?

Mr. Minogue

I did not investigate the detail of what it did.

Ms Moylan

I am not sure if I have missed any questions.

Chairman

No.

Deputy Healy-Rae

I thank Ms Moylan for an excellent presentation, in particular her reference to timber frame homes. We are joined in the public gallery by Sheila O'Sullivan and Tim Moynihan from Kenmare Timber Frame Houses. I do not want to hurt the Concrete Federation of Ireland but I was delighted to hear Ms Moylan forecast that by 2010, 50% of home completions would be timber frame. As I reminded the Chairman before, we have an excellent factory in Kenmare doing a wonderful job on timber frame houses. I am glad to get the opportunity to thank the proprietors of the timber framed factory in Kenmare and wish it the best of luck in the future. Again, I thank Ms Moylan for her presentation.

Deputy Kelleher

Are we allowed to talk about the broader building regulations or are we confined to thermal regulations?

Chairman

No.

Deputy Kelleher

I apologise for being late for the introduction. In previous times, there was a problem with the nosy neighbour but these days there is a problem with the noisy neighbour. The regulations on prevention of noise in high density developments, particularly apartment blocks, must be addressed quickly. I am not making a pitch for timber frame or concrete houses but the idea of stud partitioning between separate dwellings in an apartment block must be considered as must timber ceilings whereby there is no form of insulation between the various units in an apartment block. The overall building may comply with the thermal regulations but is there a standard that ensures there is no noise transfer from one apartment to another? It is a problem of which I constantly hear. I am sure Deputies from Dublin where there are many more apartments, including high rise blocks, hear about this constantly. This is also a major problem for local authorities. Even with private apartment developments, people who purchase in good faith from a developer find that significant noise emanates from the apartment of their neighbour above, below or next door and this can create considerable difficulties. The Department's regulations are not strict enough in that regard. Stud-partitioning between separate units within apartments is an issue which must be examined in the context of protecting a person's investment and ensuring people can raise families in these apartments.

Most houses comply with the thermal insulation requirements. That seems to be the case in the Cork area, although the figures might show otherwise. The major concern of most people in apartment developments is noise pollution. I ask Ms Moylan to clarify that matter.

Senator Brennan

It was mentioned that the standards were increased by 40% since 1998. Can the Department guarantee that the houses being built in Dublin since 2003 meet those standards? Where a waste water treatment system is installed in a rural house, for instance, a person must sign a document stating the house meets the applicable standards. Is that the case with building energy ratings?

Deputy F. O’Malley

Thank you, Chairman, for permission to be here because I am not a member of the committee. It was an interesting presentation. I am here because I am interested in energy performance issues. The two Opposition spokespersons already addressed the fact that so many homes have been built recently and the question, which Deputy Cuffe pointed out, of their energy performance and of our Kyoto commitments. That is why I wanted to be here.

Ms Moylan mentioned that there is a review of the action plan arising from the EU directive and that the building codes are under review. Are both reviews happening at the same time? Is this happening to inform the new building codes? I presume the building codes are a matter for ministerial approval rather than legislation. Am I correct in assuming that issues of energy performance and efficiency will be a primary concern? Perhaps this is what is inspiring this review. Under this new directive, will every building be required to have a building energy audit?

Ms Moylan

New buildings and existing buildings when they are being sold.

Deputy F. O’Malley

Ms Moylan mentioned that in dealing with regulations previously the Department was careful about the capacity of the building industry to withstand demanding regulations. I am a little worried about that. Often a builder's objective is to build as cheaply as possible and standards are compromised in such circumstances. It is the job of Government, and Departments, to ensure standards and regulations adopt a long-term approach. I would be worried about that phrase of Ms Moylan's concerning the capacity of the building industry to withstand onerous costs. How will the Department address these two issues? I do not wish to pre-empt what the Irish Concrete Federation, the building industry or whoever might say.

We must be careful about the energy performance of building. As Ms Moylan indicated that this matter will be the priority for the new regulations, would she mind addressing this question of the conflict of interest arising for those who are trying to build cheaply?

Deputy Kelleher raised the issue of noise pollution in apartment developments. It is not in the long-term interest to allow people build cheaply because, both in terms of issues like that and energy performance, they will fall short. If Ms Moylan could address that issue, I would be grateful.

Deputy Kelleher

I forgot to mention two other issues which have arisen in the context of apartment developments which must be addressed, that is, provision for waste disposal and bicycle storage etc. With promoting modern living standards and encouraging people to use other modes of transport, bicycle storage is a big issue in every apartment development. Residents are having to drag bicycles into lifts. It seems there are no proper storage facilities. Waste disposal is the other issue, where it seems wheelie bins are left all over the place and there are no proper waste disposal facilities within the apartment developments. Ms Moylan might refer to that also.

Deputy O’Dowd

A scientific analysis comparing the deaths of elderly people in Ireland and Norway was undertaken but I do not know whether Ms Moylan is aware of it. They discovered that the thermal capacity of Norwegian houses was far better than that of Irish ones. The Department's official made reference to English standards. I acknowledge that many of our elderly people would be dying of hypothermia because they live in old houses and do not have the money to maintain them. It is a serious issue which has not been addressed and I ask Ms Moylan to do so. The study raises an important issue.

My other point relates to my earlier question. Many of the high density dwellings being built may look well on the outside but they will become slums in four or five years because of their poor design. Many are appalling places. Throughout the city of Dublin we are getting complaints that a number of apartment blocks, in particular, are built to an appallingly poor standard. While I note it is a political question, Ms Moylan does not seem to have any views on new legislation on construction standards for such apartment blocks. Such apartment blocks raise special issues which need to be addressed to the highest possible international standards. These are key issues.

In response to my question, Ms Moylan pointed out that the Department had to take on board the feelings of the building industry. The only objective of the Department and politicians should be the quality of building. With enough profits being made on housing by builders, the Department should be insisting on even higher standards.

Deputy F. O’Malley

From what I have heard today, I take it there are no EU standards. Is it the intention to move towards EU standards in building regulations?

The official mentioned the expectation that by 2010, 50% of new houses would be timber-frame built. Are representatives from that new sector represented on the building regulations advisory body or is there a mechanism by which they can be?

Deputy Sargent

Like Deputy Fiona O'Malley, I am not a member of the committee but I am keen to pursue this matter. I am sorry I was late. I was discussing the issue with American students who, the committee will be glad to hear, were interested in it also.

Is the Department's delegation confident that the directive will be implemented on time — 1 January 2006 is being mentioned? Will there be an advance awareness campaign, similar to that unveiled yesterday for road safety, stating the directive is on the way and house purchasers should be conscious that buildings meet satisfactory energy standards so that there is conscious public demand for the correct and best standards possible, bearing in mind the future costs if such energy insulation is not provided?

Chairman

Ms Moylan, there were many questions for the Department.

Ms Moylan

I will handle them as best I can. Perhaps my colleagues might answer some of them also. Modern living conditions in apartments and so on are raising various issues. The building regulations advisory body has considered this issue and a report is being undertaken by Homeground, which will feed into the body's deliberations. We will monitor this issue to see what can be done and we will review this.

Deputy O'Dowd raised the wider issues of increased densities and standards of design, build and implementation while Deputy Kelleher referred to waste and bicycle storage. The density guidelines have been in force for approximately five years and the number of apartments has significantly increased in that time. The Department issued a series of guidelines on planning issues and a review of the density guidelines is being considered by the Minister. It will probably be undertaken next year to ascertain the developments so far, the issues that need to be addressed and the changes that need to be made to achieve sustainable living conditions.

The directive will be transposed on time. It provides for a deferral in implementation of a number of aspects and it is proposed that the building energy rating will apply to new dwellings from 1 January 2007, to new buildings other than dwellings from January 2008 and to existing dwellings and other buildings when offered for sale or letting from January 2009. That proposal is included in the document published earlier by Sustainable Energy Ireland and we look forward to receiving comments on that. We will examine the issue of an awareness campaign.

Deputy Fiona O'Malley referred to my comment about what we have regard to in deciding on standards. We have ambitious targets in terms of meeting our Kyoto obligations and the quality of houses. We review these standards on a regular basis with a view to improving them. However, we have regard to the industry's capacity in deciding on standards. I am not saying the Department has no interest in bad or cheap construction but we are concerned to ensure at a time of high demand for housing that output is not adversely affected by regulations brought in by the Department. The regulations in place are demanding on all sectors and housing output is being maintained. The objectives are not necessarily at odds with one another. The Deputy also asked why we are reviewing regulations in the context of the directive and my colleague, Mr. McCarthy, will respond to that.

Mr. Michael McCarthy

We plan to change part L of the technical guidance document to introduce an energy assessment methodology beginning with houses. A heat energy rating system or the elemental value and heat loss methods are the options available. Under the EU directive, the only parameter will be the energy performance of the house as a whole, including heating and cooling elements within the house. We must develop that methodology and we will set a target for new houses in kilowatts per sq. m. per annum. That will be done as part of the review of the building regulations and part L of the technical guidance document.

When that has been adopted and approved by the Minister and becomes part of our legal system, SEI will then develop a simplified energy rating system based on the performance level of the entire house. Our regulations will become operable from 1 January 2006 and SEI will have a year to develop a rating system and associated computer support systems and so on. There must be ad hoc ratings for individual houses and a database to hold all the results of the rating systems, which will be quality controlled. That is the link. We must start by changing the building regulations to introduce a new energy rating methodology for new houses and that will allow SEI to develop the energy rating system within the following 12 months.

Deputy Fiona O'Malley asked a number of questions about the EU dimension. There are no proposals for European building regulations. This option was examined in the 1980s but it was decided that, given the range of building technologies and climates in Europe, it would be impossible to set regulations centrally. With regard to the structural performance of buildings, the Union has encouraged the European standards organisation to develop structure design Eurocodes, which are being rolled out. They will be transposed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland as ISENs when the centre is finished. We are conducting a number of studies to see how to adapt the codes to Irish circumstances. There is provision for flexibility in setting structural values within each code.

Deputy F. O’Malley

What is an ISEN?

Mr. McCarthy

The abbreviation for a European standard is EN and for it to be recognised in Ireland it must be transposed by the NSAI as an Irish standard and it is, therefore, abbreviated as ISEN. It becomes recognised and we can call it up in our technical guidance documents on building regulations. However, studies need to be conducted regarding four or five of the codes to adapt figures in the codes to domestic practice, safety margins and so on. Those studies are under way so that we can ensure they are appropriate for our conditions when they are used in designing structures in Ireland.

The Deputy also asked about whether it was feasible to have a representatives of the innovative side of the building industry represented on the building regulations advisory body. Sean Balfe is a member of the body. He is the manager of the Irish Agrément Board whose role is to certify new building materials, methods and systems which meet the essential requirements of the building regulations. He caters for a wide range of innovations, not only timber frame but other new materials, which are being incorporated in buildings.

A reference was made to the comparison of our values with the UK. The only reason we did so was it was suggested our standards were falling behind the UK. When we introduced the new 2003 standards, they were higher than those in the UK and they were only used for a period. As my colleague mentioned, the UK has produced consultation documents proposing standards higher than ours. Standards in both jurisdictions are constantly leapfrogging each other. When we conduct our next review, which must be completed by 2008, we will take account of changes not only in the UK but also in other European countries.

Deputy Cuffe

I am very concerned because Ireland is dragging its heels. I am disturbed that the SEI is proposing that the European building performance directive will not be implemented from 1 January 2006. There is a trend dating back to 1998 of failing to improve the standards to ensure Irish homes are built to top quality standards. Whether this is for the well-being of the occupants — we spoke earlier about elderly people and fuel poverty — or due to our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, much more could be done in the residential sector to ensure we meet our obligations. My understanding is that we can only defer implementation of the European performance buildings directive if there is not adequate inspecting staff available within the European Union. I am mystified why the energy labelling on new homes is being deferred for one year and certain portions are being deferred until 2009.

The Irish climate change strategy published in 2000 promised that by the end of 2003, there would be a favourable tax treatment for commercial leases based on their energy performance. The Minister is now talking about 2009 before an energy label will be in place for commercial leases. This is six years after a strategy which is currently published and in place. There is a trend of the Department dragging its feet on improving the standards.

I asked about the degree of compliance. I know from a parliamentary question that 41 building inspectors are employed by local authorities. How many prosecutions have been taken for buildings that did not reach compliance with part L?

Deputy Kelleher

Has the Department an opinion on noise insulation? It is waiting for a review but is it satisfied that the standards are adequate? Given that we are encouraging apartment-type development to discourage escalating house prices, surely the Department must have an opinion as to whether it is satisfied that the present building regulations are sufficient in regard to noise insulation. I am sorry for going on about it, but the issue must be addressed quickly. If we wait for another one, two or three years, we will have built another 150,000 units, many of which will be apartment-type developments which will not be up to standard. We are awaiting reviews on waste facilities, storage for bicycles, etc. How long must we wait or is the Department happy that the present standards are satisfactory?

Deputy F. O’Malley

Is it envisaged that the energy performance of a building will be part of the planning permission, whereby planning permission may not be granted unless energy efficiency is demonstrated?

Ms Moylan

The directive on energy performance does not set down standards on energy performance; it refers to a rating system. What we are deferring in accordance with the terms of the directive is the introduction of the rating. We are not failing to implement EU standards in regard to energy conservation.

On prosecutions under the building code, I do not have the information on the number of prosecutions taken by local authorities for non-compliance. The local authorities, as opposed to the Department, are the building control authorities.

Deputy Cuffe

Surely the Department can collate the figures.

Ms Moylan

We have an overall figure on compliance with the building regulations in total and prosecutions, but not for individual parts of the building regulations. Perhaps we should be collecting these figures but we currently collect figures solely on compliance with the regulations as a whole.

Senator Brennan asked about compliance. The target for inspection by local authorities is 12% to 15% of buildings. Essentially, it is a matter for the designer, owner and builder to certify that the property complies with the building regulations standards.

We must ensure that there are appropriate standards regarding noise. However, we need to do some work to identify what the standards should be. We will do this, but it will involve some research. It is something we will consider as quickly as possible. The main concentration this year has been on energy and compliance with fire regulations.

There is no reason a local authority as the planning authority cannot apply the standards regarding waste and bicycles. I understand that some local authorities set down certain conditions regarding storage. This is something we will consider in the guidelines, but there is nothing to prevent planning authorities from doing this at the moment.

Deputy Healy-Rae referred to the number of timber frame constructions and the fact that the building industry believes this figure will reach 50%. We would support this view.

Deputy Fiona O'Malley asked whether we could link planning permission to energy rating. They are two separate codes which give rise to certain issues. Planning is already quite complicated, therefore, our preference would be not to over-complicate the planning permission system any more than is the case at the moment. Obviously the building regulations are a separate code which should aim to be as effective and efficient as possible.

Deputy Cuffe

Why are we deferring the transposition of the directive into Irish law?

Ms Moylan

There are two reasons. We are deferring it partly in terms of setting up a system of energy rating, and training the necessary people to carry that out. Mr. McCarthy has already set out the amount of work that needs to be done to achieve an energy rating system. I can ask him to summarise it again.

Mr. McCarthy

Deputy Cuffe referred to the climate change strategy in chapter 6, the built environment and the clear commitment to introduce a building energy rating system which would apply to pre-1992 houses. These houses were described as very poor in terms of their energy performance and the suggestion was that on their sale there should be an energy rating system so people could have regard to that in purchasing the house. Parallel to that, there was a proposal on the commercial side to link tax incentives on leases to energy performance. This strategy was published in late 2000. In 2001, the EU published a proposed draft EU directive on energy performance of buildings which changed radically the whole scenario. First, it applies to a much wider range of buildings. It applies to all newly-constructed buildings of any category.

Deputy Cuffe

The Department has known about the directive for four years.

Mr. McCarthy

Second, it applies to all existing buildings of any category, except protected structures in a few limited categories when offered for sale or letting. That directive was adopted in 2002. We have published an integrated action plan drawing together the various technical, administrative and IT issues involved in developing this. It is a complex system to develop.

Ireland is not the only country finding it difficult to deliver this complex system of energy rating. Of the 25 EU member states, three have indicated they hope to be in a position to fully implement the directive on 1 January 2006. Some 16 member states have indicated they will not be in a position to do so, and six member states have indicated they have no final decision on the matter. However, the majority of states expected not to be able to fully implement the directive.

It is a complex process. The only country with a history of energy rating is Denmark. It will be fully compliant for houses because it has had the system for years, but it has difficulties with regard to non-domestic buildings, mainly because there is no ready made system for non-domestic buildings. Even the Danes who have a history of 20 years in this regard are having difficulty with parts of the directive.

Mr. Minogue

I will just add to what Mr. McCarthy said. He spoke earlier about the European Union encouraging a common design approach for structures. While there is no proposal for a common thermal standard across Europe or a common standard fixed at central level, the European Union encourages a common approach to the calculation of energy performance through a European standard system.

Since the introduction of the directive, the European Union has, in conjunction with CEN the European standard organisation, put forward a scheme to prepare approximately 30 standards to support this calculation procedure. This is worthwhile and welcome because we would have difficulty preparing our own standards. However, it is a delaying factor because many of the standards have not yet appeared, even in draft form. Some exist, some are in draft form and some have not yet appeared.

Once we get the standards we must adapt them to Irish conditions because they will involve many factors subject to national decision. Having done that, we must develop the algorithm or calculation procedure based on the standards for calculating thermal performance. Housing would be relatively simple because most of the standards exist. However, it is much more difficult for other buildings because the standards are still being developed. There are plenty of calculation procedures in existence, but they are contradictory. It is difficult to adopt one nationally as the matter requires considerable study.

The procedure is ongoing. When it is complete, the calculation procedure decided on will underpin the regulations in part L and will be the basis for showing compliance with it. The same calculation procedure will fund the basis of the rating system. Clearly, matters must proceed on a staged basis and will take time. As I said earlier, all countries are taking time with it.

Deputy Cuffe

I reiterate my concern that there is currently an unprecedented amount of house building activity. The directive was published in draft form four years ago and the Kyoto protocol was signed eight years ago, but we will be left with a legacy of underperforming homes on account of the delay in implementing the directive. When people try to sell their homes in future years they will discover that homes built in 2005 only met the 1997 standards. I remain deeply concerned that we are not moving fast enough and that our standards are not high enough in this area.

Chairman

Would Ms Moylan like to conclude on this subject?

Ms Moylan

We have set out our ambition for sustainable energy in Ireland in the document published today. Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Minogue have explained there are complex issues involved. If we find we can meet the targets ahead of the schedules, we will do so. That is, I suppose, our ambition.

We thank the committee for the opportunity to address it. If there are further questions we can deal with them in writing.

Chairman

Thank you for the presentation.

I welcome Mr. John Maguire, Mr. Alan Haugh, Mr. Jim Farrell, Mr. Alan Hanly, Mr. Thomas Holden, Mr. Brendan Lynch and Mr. Brian Ó Murchú from the Irish Concrete Federation.

Mr. John Maguire

I will make a brief introduction and then my colleague and vice-president, Mr. Alan Haugh, will read our submission. We will take questions as they arise. Accompanying me are Alan Haugh, vice-president of the Irish Concrete Federation and chief executive of CPI Limited, both part of the Grafton Group, Jim Farrell, managing director of Roadstone Dublin Limited, part of the CRH group, Alan Hanly, managing director of the Hanly Group, manufacturers and substantial homebuilders throughout the country, Thomas Holden, technical committee member of the ICF and a member of the NSAI concrete consultative committee — the NSAI masonry panel committee, Brendan Lynch technical committee member of the ICF and member of the NSAI concrete consultative committee, and Brian Ó Murchú, our marketing and technical manager.

The Irish Concrete Federation represents approximately 90% of the quarrying and concrete products industry in the country, as demonstrated on the map supplied, and approximately one third of our industry's products are consumed in the greater Dublin area. We operate out of just over 250 locations throughout the country and employ approximately 14,000 people. Group turnover is approximately €2.8 billion which represents roughly 10% of the entire construction industry output at just under €29 billion.

Our product range consists mainly of ready-mix concrete, 8 million cubic metres of which were consumed last year, concrete blocks, just over 500 million, and stone and aggregate, 120 million tonnes per annum. The value of the precast sector is approximately €600 million, 20% of which is exported throughout Europe.

We thank the committee for this welcome opportunity to address it. I ask our vice-president, Mr. Alan Haugh, to read our submission.

Mr. Alan Haugh

Committee members will be aware that the Irish Concrete Federation previously made a submission to the committee on the topic of energy efficiency on 8 November 2000 which set out the industry position at that time. We welcome the opportunity to restate our position and to set the record straight on a number of issues. The industry continues to support fully the Department's proposals for improved energy and thermal efficiency in buildings. It has been independently verified that all forms of traditional block work walling meet the standards required in construction as part of an ever-evolving and improving industry for which we have anticipated and prepared.

The proposed new energy performance rating of building is welcomed by the concrete industry. There are no technical barriers to achieving the proposed standards with concrete construction, as we have proven in the past. We go further and request the Department also consider fire, sound and durability rating in response to publicly raised issues and concerns. Our industry has supplied product to the building industry for generations and is proud of the national housing stock which has served and will continue serve Irish communities well.

I will now deal with masonry conformance to Irish standards. In excess of 95% of the total housing stock is of masonry construction. The remainder is of lightweight frame construction which mainly uses concrete masonry in external walls. Members of the Irish Concrete Federation manufacture masonry products in conformance with current national and European standards, as called up in the building regulations technical guidance documents. The ICF has engaged fully in the development and implementation of both national and European standards and is leading the way in masonry research studies at significant cost to the industry. The practice of the ICF has always been and continues to be to ensure our products comfortably comply with all relevant standards of the day. We suggest the committee should reject any inference that our products or construction methods using these products do not conform to current building standards.

I will address the issue of masonry and conformance with building regulations, specifically energy efficiency as covered in Part L. There is no mystery to achieving higher thermal insulation levels or conforming to higher insulation standards using masonry construction or lightweight frame construction. Higher energy efficiencies are achieved by adding more insulation. This is how masonry construction conformed with the new requirements in January 2003 and this is how masonry construction will conform with the proposed new revisions in 2008. We welcome this change which will be of benefit to consumers and of assistance in reducing CO2 emissions.

Since building regulations were first introduced, insulation standards for new dwellings have been progressively upgraded. Houses which were built to standards of the day can be upgraded to meet current or future thermal insulation requirements.

With regard to the upgrading of Part L of the building regulations which came into effect on 1 January 2003, the Irish Concrete Federation participated in and contributed to the open consultative process set in motion by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on behalf of the then Minister. As part of our industry's input, the Irish Concrete Federation commissioned the energy research group in University College Dublin to assess the five most common forms of masonry wall construction, including hollow block construction. The ERG concluded, "all forms of masonry construction can be detailed to conform to the new regulations". All forms of masonry construction can comply with even the most stringent elemental method of calculation under Part L. The UCD energy research group study report is included in appendix 2 of our submission as evidence that the suggestion of non-conformance of any form of masonry construction with current thermal insulation regulations has no basis in fact.

I will consider the energy performance of buildings directive. The Irish Concrete Federation welcomes the introduction of the EU energy performance of buildings directive in January 2006. The federation does not request and has never requested that any individual, Government body or agency involved in the implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive should delay its implementation — the opposite is the case. As with all other pending legislation, the Irish Concrete Federation has been working to be in a position to make a real and valuable input to the legislation as and when requested by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister as part of the public consultation process. Our industry, as a contribution to the development of the new energy performance directive, has been preparing case studies based on the most up-to-date dynamic calculation methods to demonstrate the advantages of thermal mass. We will submit these results to the Minister in the context of the proposed energy directive. They will show that concrete houses using thermal mass to store energy in the fabric of the building can thermally out-perform lightweight-framed houses by on average 5%, when equal amounts of insulation are installed in both constructions and are therefore more energy efficient.

Our industry welcomes the introduction of energy labelling as soon as practical. The ICF particularly welcomes standards which are transparent to the consumer as our industry can only benefit from such transparency. Energy labelling is a significant step in the right direction but it does not go far enough. The Irish Concrete Federation proposes that the performance labelling of buildings should be extended to include fire, durability and sound. Such performance indicators would be of great benefit to the consumer. Our industry enthusiastically embraces the concept of performance labelling, specifically because of the outstanding inherent properties of concrete in terms of fire performance, durability, sound absorption and thermal properties. The interest of the concrete industry is in adopting and promoting new and higher standards, not in slowing down the implementation of standards.

The next topic I will deal with is the environment and sustainability. Concrete is a versatile structural material with very useful properties that can contribute to sustainable design and construction. The vast majority of sustainable housing pilot projects in Europe and elsewhere, including the most notable Bed Zed development in the UK, have been constructed using concrete as the primary construction material. In Ireland, our industry has participated on the construction industry forum sustainability task force and is proactive in the promotion of sustainable practices using concrete. We can demonstrate through independent studies that the environmental impact of masonry homes is neither better nor worse than lightweight framed construction.

This is the conclusion of the Swedish Department of the Environment which commissioned an extensive study on the relative environmental performance of concrete and lightweight framed homes. I refer the committee to the report of Chalmers University Gothenburg contained in appendix 3 of our submission and which is entitled What Does an Increase in Building With Wood Materials Mean in Sweden for the Environment? This comprehensive independent study, commissioned by Christina Leidman at the Institution of Durable Building of Environment was carried out by Birgit Brunklaus and Dr. Henrikke Bauman at Chalmers University and concluded: "Wood is not a better or worse environmental alternative seen over the life cycle of the house." This conclusion was reached on the basis of an investigation into eight full life cycle analysis studies which had been carried out in Chalmers University Gothenburg over a number of years. We submit a full translation of the Chalmers University study to the committee as evidence that masonry homes do not differ from lightweight framed homes in terms of environmental impact. It is worth noting that Sweden is arguably the home of European timber and the source of the majority of the softwood used in the construction of Irish lightweight framed homes.

Closer to home, in 2002 the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government commissioned independent consultants to examine current practice and procedure in the timber frame sector. The report of the timber frame consortium published in July 2003, states in section 6.3.9:

More than 90% of the timber structural frame used in Ireland for construction is imported from the temperate sources of Scandinavia and Canada. The fact that the vast majority of timber used in the manufacture of timber frame in this country is imported from Scandinavia and Canada has a negative impact on the embodied energy value. This is due to fuel consumption during the transport of processed timber from non-local sources.

The substantial embodied energy transport tariff which applies to timber in the Irish context does not apply to Irish concrete since, on average, concrete products are manufactured and delivered within a 50 km radius using locally available materials. Whereas, timber and concrete may have similar environmental performance in the Swedish context, the fossil fuel transport tariff referred to more than likely swings the balance marginally in favour of concrete in the Irish context. It was falsely claimed in a recent submission to the joint committee that a tonne of concrete produces a tonne of carbon dioxide. The report of the timber frame consortium stated that the use of a tonne of concrete in the substructure produces 114 kg of carbon dioxide, or one ninth of the amount claimed. Masonry contributes an even smaller amount of carbon dioxide.

It was claimed in a submission made to the joint committee that houses with lightweight frames are superior because they are warmer in winter and cooler in summer. To demonstrate that such a statement is misleading, I refer the committee to a report recently submitted to the UK Department of Trade and Industry by the Arup firm of consulting engineers in London. The report, which was produced by Arup's research and development team, led by Mr. Gavin Davies, was commissioned to measure the effect of global warming on the UK's building stock and to examine what might be done to minimise that impact. Mr. Davies has said that if one examines buildings designed for the long term, "lightweight construction is going to be susceptible to climate change". The Arup report argues that houses with timber frames are susceptible to overheating in summer conditions. I have submitted an article on the Arup report from the 6 August 2004 edition of a UK magazine, Building, as evidence that concrete structures, rather than timber frame structures, have advantageous thermal properties.

I would like to set the record straight about the masonry hollow block, which is known throughout the world as a successful method of construction. The concrete masonry hollow block is an excellent structural material for house building. The use of hollow blocks should not be seen as "inferior" but as highly efficient. When hollow blocks are combined with the recommended insulating material as part of an approved building method, they meet all current standards, regulations and energy efficiency requirements. Masonry hollow block construction can be adapted to meet increases in thermal insulation standards by changing the thickness or density of insulation. Insulated hollow block construction can be demonstrated to be as effective in terms of thermal efficiency as other building methods.

Masonry hollow blocks, which are not banned in England, are used throughout Europe. Some 84% of new houses built in France in 2003 were constructed using a form of masonry hollow block that is similar to that used in Ireland. The percentage of new homes built using hollow blocks in the US state of Florida is approximately 70% and is increasing. The hollow block market in Florida has grown because local conditions are proving unsuitable for lightweight construction. The prevalence of hurricanes, termites and humidity in Florida leads to mould, mildew and fungus. Hollow block construction has been a highly efficient and problem-free method of construction in Ireland. Almost 40% of houses built in the Dublin area since the 1970s have been constructed with masonry hollow blocks. Neither the Irish Concrete Federation nor its members have received any complaints about hollow block construction. We have not been contacted by a home owner or HomeBond about problems with the performance of hollow block construction.

The concrete industry is dynamic, progressive and highly innovative. One in four housing starts is an apartment dwelling. The members of the Irish Concrete Federation have invested millions of euro in developing precast concrete technologies for the construction of apartment dwellings. Senior local authority officials are saying publicly and privately that the new precast concrete housing technologies have answered their prayers. The benefits of such technologies relate to design flexibility, fire performance, sound insulation, durability and structural performance. Developments in technologies such as insulated concrete formwork are becoming increasingly popular. If I were not constrained by the short time available to me, I could spend the day discussing innovations in concrete, which is the premier structural building material.

Builders and consumers can decide on the structural fabric of houses. The Irish Concrete Federation believes that masonry construction is a better choice than lightweight framed construction. It forecasts that lightweight systems will comprise less than 50% of the market by 2010. The federation is confident that masonry construction will retain the lion's share of the Irish market in the years to come. Concrete masonry, which provides a comfortable and secure living environment that complies fully with regulations, has many positive properties, including inherent fire resistance, sound proofing and durability. Concrete does not warp, rust, rot or burn.

The concrete industry has served this country well by playing a large part in contributing to the increase in this country's housing stock. It has risen to the challenges presented by the boom economy by doubling its output over the last ten years and proactively promoting sustainable construction practices. All of its construction materials and methods have been proven by the test of time. The Irish Concrete Federation is confident that the joint committee will appreciate that such achievements are not small. I ask the committee to reject any attempt to undermine the good name and good work of the Irish concrete industry. I thank the committee for its time and attention. I will be pleased to answer members' questions.

Deputy Cuffe

I welcome the delegation. It is important to avoid a slagging match about the merits of various building types. As a former architect and planner, I am aware of the advantages of all building methods in various circumstances. As a member of this committee, I am keen to ensure this country's building standards are improved and that Ireland complies with its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. I am concerned that our standards are not improving fast enough, however. I am not sure why our standards are not improving fast enough. I would be interested to know whether the Irish Concrete Federation has suggested to the Government the standards which should be put in place. Everybody should do their best to improve such standards.

I was intrigued by the Irish Concrete Federation's reference in its submission to a report, What does an Increase in Building with Wood Materials mean in Sweden for the Environment? The report seems to conclude that the issue is not whether one uses concrete or wood as a building material. The final section of the report strongly recommends that we should ensure that heating, electricity and hot water systems are improved. The systems which are being installed need to be up to scratch. Every sector of the home building market is challenged with examining higher standards and trying to get energy from the air that leaves houses. Such challenges will have to be faced regardless of whether one is building with concrete or wood.

I am somewhat taken aback by the use of the slogan "concrete built is better built" because it infers that other building methods are not "better built". There is no need to promote one side of the argument at the expense of the other in that manner.

I would like to speak about the theory of concrete construction. The Irish Concrete Federation has referred to various building methods. Is it satisfied that it is meeting the various standards? The Green Party has heard concerns about whether insulation properly bonds with walls and whether the "as-built" versions are in line with technical diagrams of the form depicted in the federation's submission. Is the federation satisfied that what is being built meets the terms of the regulations which exist? Is it happy that the theoretical thermal performance is being met in practice? Does it test what is built to ascertain whether the mileage on the car is equal to that claimed by the manufacturer?

Chairman

Why is the nine-inch hollow brick used in the greater Dublin area only? I would be interested to hear some details of the history of that. Are the days of the nine-inch hollow brick numbered? Are the new regulations phasing it out? Perhaps the representatives of the Irish Concrete Federation will clarify the matter.

Mr. Maguire

Many of the federation's representatives at this meeting can deal with technical issues. From an industry perspective, I welcome Deputy Cuffe's positive comments on the federation's submission. I assure the Deputy that the Irish Concrete Federation has never asked the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government or any other body — this assurance is verified in the federation's submission — to delay or reduce any of the proposed standards. As our submission states, it would not be in our interests to do so.

Deputy Cuffe

Or to keep the existing standards.

Mr. Maguire

Absolutely not, I assure the Deputy. I have gone public on this on a number of occasions. I do not know what the source of that view is. It is not in our interest. As we state in our submission, we believe that we can and should go further in the interests of consumers. All the public and private utterances we hear on RTE and elsewhere voice concerns about value for money, durability of products, noise and fire safety. We welcome anything that will deliver a better-built product.

We have concerns about the end product and depend on people like Deputy Cuffe to specify, monitor and manage. While we have an interest in ensuring a product we sell and deliver performs to its maximum potential, it is very much in the hands of builders and professionals to ensure that what is specified and delivered is put to the best possible use. There is probably evidence to show that does not happen in every case, which will always be a matter of concern for us. We will always do what we can to educate and inform. We have organised a roadshow to advise members of the public as to what they should look out for to ensure they get the best value for money.

It will always be in our interests that high specifications and strong regulations exist across a range of issues to make people's properties more valuable and user friendly. HomeBond can confirm that where problems arise with domestic housing internationally, it is as a result of systems buildings, poor specifications and a failure to conform to regulations. We must ensure such circumstances do not arise here. I pass over to colleagues qualified to deal with the technical elements of the Deputy's and Chairman's questions.

Mr. Thomas Holden

While clay blocks have been used extensively in England and concrete in Germany, hollow blocks have been the material traditionally available in the Dublin area and their use has spread to the surrounding counties. Hollow blocks perform very well in single-leaf walls and with IS325 can be designed to perform in any of the counties surrounding Dublin. The hollow block is a traditional building material in the Dublin area and its days are by no means numbered. The hollow block performs as a structural shell in the same way as timber or steel performs as the structural shell in light-weight forms and is rendered externally. On the internal aspect, one can attach a good layer of insulation to a hollow block to meet the 2.25 thermal units standard set out in the 2003 regulations. If one attaches 100 mm of polyurethane or polystyrene to the inside of a hollow block, it will perform to meet external requirements. The hollow block is used extensively in France, north Australia and Florida. While other countries use different single-leaf construction methods, internally and externally insulated, the hollow block has not reached the end of its usefulness.

Deputy Cuffe

Does the Irish Concrete Federation test thermal performance of as-built structures?

Mr. Holden

We are material suppliers who supply a building component. We do not supply the insulation components, we supply hollow blocks and other building components.

Deputy Cuffe

With respect, that was not my question.

Mr. Holden

We will test the blocks under the new European standards as we will be declaring their thermal performance. While we supply the block, the thermal performance of the insulation is declared by the insulation suppliers. As-built performance is not our business.

Mr. Brian Ó Murchú

As 84% of all houses built in France in 2003 were constructed using hollow blocks, their days cannot be said to be numbered there. There are no reasons to conclude their days should be numbered in Ireland. Building practices throughout Europe are extremely regionalised. There are very few books in Europe which are the parallels of the HomeBond book. While building practices vary from town to town and region to region, local tradesmen know how to build with local materials and what details and construction forms to use. This is also the case in Ireland, which is why we have never received an inquiry from anybody, whether home-owner or otherwise, about hollow blocks.

Specific conditions exist in the Dublin area for which hollow-block construction is especially suitable. The wind speed chart in BS CP3, chapter V, part 2, shows that the wind blows in the Dublin area at approximately 46 m per second compared to 52 m per second in Belmullet. Between low rainfall and wind speeds in Dublin and the protection from prevailing weather conditions provided by the Dublin-Wicklow mountains, one has a sub-climate which makes hollow-block construction especially suitable in the region. Construction in Ireland is therefore regionalised, though not to the same extent as in other countries.

Chairman

What are the economies of producing a 9 in. hollow brick by comparison with the alternatives? Presumably, it is cheaper to produce a 9 in. hollow brick. It is not a technical question.

Mr. Maguire

It is a commercial question as well as a technical one.

Chairman

Is it a factor?

Mr. Haugh

It is not that it is cheaper to produce but as one is producing a single-leaf wall, the labour costs are lower. It is a more effective and efficient wall to build compared to a double-leaf wall.

Mr. Holden

Hollow blocks provide the structural shell while the insulation provides thermal performance. As a structural shell, the hollow-block wall does its job.

Chairman

Does the delegation have any concluding remarks?

Mr. Maguire

We thank you for inviting us, Chairman. We are delighted to attend to assure the committee that we will play our full part in working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and any other Department to ensure the consumer gets the best possible value for money. We are working to this end with the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Finance and the NSAI. We have jointly agreed a €250,000 funding programme to carry out testing on a number of products to ensure they meet the new European technical standards. We will proactively and positively promote the standards.

Chairman

I thank you and your delegation for your most informative presentation. The committee will continue to review the issues involved in the months ahead.

The joint committee adjourned at 4.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 11 May 2005.