Ms Mair?ad Phelan:

I will make a comment first. There is no impediment to using any materials, including sustainable materials, in the requirements of the building regulations. Sometimes there is controversy or confusion over the use of the technical guidance documents. The technical guidance documents come as part of the building regulations and they demonstrate how to comply with the requirements. For example, under technical guidance document A, buildings must stand up and they must stand up for 50 years. Technical guidance documents also give guidance for a non-complex dwelling. An innovative designer should not have a problem with a ten-storey high timber frame building. I will pass over to Mr. Butler for further comment.