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Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government:
A number of misleading
claims were made at the recent meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on the
Environment and Local Government in relation to the energy performance
aspects of the Building Regulations.
I wholly reject the
allegation that energy conservation standards under Part L of the
Building Regulations are being driven by special interests in the
construction industry. As I have pointed out, independent research has
shown that Ireland’s thermal performance and insulation standards for
new dwellings as revised in 2003 are among the highest in the EU.
Insulation standards for new dwellings under the Building Regulations have
been progressively increased since their introduction in 1992, are due for
further upward adjustment by 2008.
I should stress that,
since 1996, proposals for amending building 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. First,
the amending regulations and any related amended technical guidance are
drafted in my 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 organizations, 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/industry comment,
usually within a period of 3 months. The draft amendments are then revised
in the light of all the comments received, in consultation with the
Advisory Body (who are given unedited copies of all comments received),
before being submitted to the Minister for final approval and signature. I
believe that the integrity of this regulatory and consultative process is
widely accepted.
The other principal
claims made at the recent Oireachtas Committee meeting relate to the
implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. On
this, I intend shortly to approve publication, by Sustainable Energy
Ireland (SEI), of a draft Action Plan for the implementation of this
Directive. The Action Plan will provide for progressive implementation
over the period 2006-2009, starting with new dwellings. There will be a
period of 3 months for comment by the general public, elected
representatives, the construction industry, and the auctioneering and
legal professions. The Action Plan will then be finalised, in the light of
comments received, and submitted for my approval prior to transmission to
the EU Commission.
My Department has not
shown bias against the timber frame method of construction. On the
contrary the Department funded a major study, by independent consultants,
of Timber Frame Housing in Ireland; and is in the process of
implementing positive recommendations arising from that study, in
consultation with the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers Association.
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