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

I am grateful to the witnesses, as I think we all are, for giving of their time and knowledge. It always helps us move forward with whatever agenda we have. My question is partly timber-related and concerns the effective prohibition of mass timber over three storeys. Considering that most of the First World is constructing for mass timber buildings of up to eight storeys, why are we so far behind given that our closest neighbour is constructing COT buildings of up to eight storeys - predominantly in London - and has similar building regulations. They are going over 20 storeys in the US. Based on the witnesses' vast experience, can they enlighten us how our regulations should move forward and what needs to change to enable the use of timber, which is a sustainable material compared to steel and concrete? Where do the witnesses see it going?