Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of our expert witnesses for coming in to share their expertise and perspectives with us. Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Barry mentioned Scotland. They both came at it from different perspectives but they really shone a light on where it is really working from a timber frame perspective. I would be keen to know if there are any learnings they think we, as legislators, should be introducing, either as legislation or as best practice guidelines, to try to push that agenda in Ireland from an environmental perspective and, as Deputy Ó Broin mentioned, from an affordability perspective?

On affordability and savings, it was good to hear Mr. Barry talk about the 70% energy saving. I want to check that I interpreted it correctly that there is a 70% energy saving in new homes as a result of the BER in the past decade. While that is not surprising it is quite striking when you think of it. I ask Mr. Barry to clarify that is correct. The Celbridge project Mr. O'Connor spoke about was interesting from a savings and an environmental perspective. Avoiding landfill to reduce carbon footprint is something that is happening in my constituency. For example, there is a project in Saggart where they are trying their hardest to do that.

I am also struck by the level of deep and meaningful work that is being carried out by both the OPW and Enterprise Ireland on this issue. I am interested to hear what level of collaboration there can be between the public and private sectors on this best practice sharing. The guidelines that are being drawn up seem so far-reaching. Is that the kind of information, from a procurement and design perspective, that could be utilised by private industry?

To go a little off topic, it is great to hear, in respect of the building control reforms, about the number of site inspections being carried out. The establishment of the National Building Control Office has been a key part of the building control reform agenda that the Government has had. It is really great to see the amount of work that Ms Phelan and her team are carrying out.

Could I get the perspectives on Scotland and clarification on savings? Could I have a little information on collaboration between the public and private sectors, particularly between Enterprise Ireland and the OPW?