Mr. Ciar?n O'Connor:

Over 12 years ago, we brought in green cement into OPW specifications and a dogfight went on for two years with the industry. Eventually, a peace was arrived at after the intervention of the Minister for Finance at the time. We came up with a methodology where we used a set of stepping stones. For instance, in all our specifications in the OPW, we have a minimum of 50% reduction. What should happen is that all State organisations should be obliged to do that. That should be made a rule. I know people will say that is interfering with the market or whatever but if we are serious about it, this has to happen.

We have to recognise that in winter that type of cement takes a day or two longer to go off, which can have a cost or impact on scaffolding and so on. However, once people get used to those things, they factor them in. That issue should not be used as the first line of the block, where people argue that this material cannot be used in cold weather. It can be used but it has to be propped for a day longer. They should get over that and get on with their propping. These are easy straight wins.

Another advantage that Ireland has is that we can get the GGBS substitute from France, Belgium or Holland on a boat to Ireland cheaper than it would take to get it from the north of France to Paris. It is of huge benefit to us to bring it into one of the ports and use it. We are doing that. It is an easy win and we should make use of it. We happen to be close to one of the biggest producers of that substitute that can be added, whereas other countries are not. The argument that will often be made by the industry is that it cannot be achieved worldwide. We know that maybe 20% could be substituted worldwide but Ireland happens to be in a good spot to substitute a lot more.