Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on his work and his delivery based on his remit. I know it is very difficult. There are numerous crises facing him and we are all fighting perfect storms.

The Minister spoke about speed of delivery. I know timber frame houses have a superior procurement rate compared with conventional methods. I was at a conference yesterday where it was stated that up to 50% of homes at the moment are being built from timber frame. It is great to hear we have reached that rate in such a short time. As the Minister knows, there is a logjam with apartments generally, but there is probably a bigger logjam with timber apartments and the use of mass timber. They are being built all over the world, providing many benefits, not least cost.

There is a major problem in the context of fire risk. Part B of our building regulations have a clause, which I believe was introduced in the original regulations in 1983, prohibiting the use of timber in buildings. We have moved on a long way since then. I know a review of the fire regulations is coming up. I would be interested to hear what the Minister has to say that because it is far quicker to build with those materials as has been proven across the planet.

In the context of speed of delivery, density and cost, the section 28 review of densities provides an opportunity to increase densities in urban areas similar to existing densities in areas such as Stoneybatter and Portobello. I know it is not exactly that model but there are very high densities for inner city living. There is also St. Patrick's in Cork. While we need to build correctly and plan correctly, the review of that and getting our densities correct will reduce the cost to the purchaser. While now might not be the right time, I would appreciate if the Minister could speak about the Part B review and section 28.

There is also the climate plan and embodied carbon. I know we have talked about that measurement here. If that comes in, it will facilitate and educate the industry to understand where savings can be made. In the short term, that will be through timber as it is faster to build with that material. We have a lot of timber coming online in this country which needs to be used.