Mr. Mark Carlin:

I thank the Deputy for that clarification. There is not one silver bullet. I am reluctant to say that, if it was regulation or demonstrator buildings, we would all sort it in the morning. On low-carbon, quick-build efficiency, we are looking at an element of regulation, both in terms of removing some of the impediments but putting in some of the promotion, particularly accounting for embodied carbon and promoting low carbon. There is demonstrator. I think we can get on in the next 12 months with demonstrator buildings. There are public buildings and schemes being built. They should be built with low carbon and we can demonstrate that. There is then the space of some of the technical specifications as well, which can be turned around quite quickly.

I think there is much willingness here. I suggest a coalition of the willing working together, probably with some independent chair, to try to drive it forward within a tight timeframe with clear terms of reference, such as the goals in each phase, to make sure something is done in the next 12 months. Some things might fall outside the 12 months and that is okay. That could be in a subsequent phase. We need clarity on what we want to do in the next 12 months.

Certainly, one of the big takeaways from the Build with Wood conference that Coillte organised with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was that there is a real appetite here. If the right environment is put in place, the timber sector and, certainly, the construction sector are ready to kick on.

It is about trying to understand what the impediments are and what the quick wins would be. This is not just about industry. It cannot do it on its own but it has to be involved. It has to be involved with a cross-departmental group and it has to work with urgency. I would reflect on bringing independence into that.