Mr. Des O'Toole:

I thank Deputy Ó Broin for the question. On the indications in terms of the feedback from the consultation, as of yet we are not aware of the number of responses that were received or the content therein. I did manage to see quite a few individual submissions that were in circulation prior to the closing date, and similar issues, broadly speaking, were raised. As regards the one about the class A2 material for buildings over 11 m in height and the point raised earlier about the building regulations, or certainly the technical guidance documents, there are alternative means. We have heard this before but, certainly from what I read in the revised draft document, the alternative means have actually been taken out of the draft guidance documents. That is a step backwards. That is just a personal observation. Certainly from the document I read, it does not look like that alternative means of design is allowed any more. That is stepping back.

Finally, the requirement for an Agrément certificate came up as well quite a few times with people, as did the definition of proper materials and ETAs accepted in Europe and so on. In the short term, if we want to see more of these systems used, it will take time for all those submissions to be reviewed and digested to see what changes can or cannot be made for the regulations and how. Ms Wylde mentioned the timber frame IS 440. That has been worked on for the past number of years. It is nearing completion. To go back now and start the whole process again, looking at whether we can go to 15 m or 18 m, will take time, no matter what we do. If we want to move forward at a speedier pace than is likely because of the regulatory reviews that still have to happen, I think we need to look at alternative solutions, maybe through demonstration buildings and ETAs with demonstration buildings and get some of these buildings up so we can see what is involved.