Ms Sarah Neary:

There are a number of ways of achieving the overall required performance. In some cases, oil systems can be used. The CSO figures show a significant decline in the use of oil boilers from 36% to 6% in new dwellings and a significant increase in electric heating. The industry is shifting anyway on foot of the regulations and where they are headed. The cost-optimal five-year review of the economic and environmental aspects affords an opportunity to recognise the changes within the industry and incorporate them in the building regulations. If our regulations deviate from the cost-optimal section of the curve, we will have to revise them. That is set out in the EPBD.