Ms Marion Jammet:

I think that, in general, the data we have with regard to buildings and the embodied carbon are really like the elements with the highest embodied carbon or like structure and substructure, and there is clearly a case, as the Deputy put it, and in most cases, to retain at least the structure and substructure if we can.

One thing that would be very important would be to try to submit a rationale for demolition - asking for a rationale for demolition, including an assessment of an alternative proposal incorporating existing buildings or not, and also a look at a life cycle assessment for the alternative proposal and not only for the new build. Really then, if the permission to demolish is granted, as it can be on a case-by-case basis, as was mentioned, it is important that in that case, we have mitigation measures in place. That can be like a circularity statement to see if the new building is designed for resource efficiency, adaptability and disassembly but also trying to make sure it is done early and there is a pre-demolition audit, as was done in Limerick for the Opera Square project, where there was a good pre-demolition audit. You know which products are there and if they can be reused.