Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

Our building regulations do not currently allow more than two storeys in a timber-framed building. The difficulty is if the density requirements in our development plans mean 80%-plus of housing is going to have to be mid-density or high density. Timber framing, and especially 3D timber framing and light gauge steel framing, are going to be key. People talk about agrément certificates and demonstrator projects, but unless there is an actual change the companies the Minister of State knows well because they are in his constituency, Coillte and others, are not going to be able to do it. Yesterday in Barcelona, what is Europe's tallest residential building was launched. It is only about 14 storeys. It is a beautiful social housing project that is really well-designed. It is spacious, light, has an embodied carbon level to die for and was built using a 3D timber-framed system. If there is one regulation the Minister could change over the next period it is that section of Part B. Otherwise, we are going to really struggle. Cairn is busy building Seven Mills, and the Minister was out there recently. All that is high-carbon slab concrete. I am not objecting to the homes; I am supporting the Chair.