Mr. Seán Armstrong:

The planning division recognises that it is important to do this and has included it in its business plan. There is a review of the statutory instrument. There is a process involved in that regard and there is urgency attached to it. The timeline is the end of this year, which is reasonably fast for legislation.

On embodied carbon emissions from gas, the extraction cost is included in the primary energy factor. With regard to the technical guidance documents, it is the same question as the one about gas boilers. The building regulations set the performance requirements. It is a matter for the designer to specify how the design complies with the building regulations. There are several solutions. The Deputy asked this question initially in the context of district heating systems. It is a developing technology in Ireland and supports are being put in place. Its use could become more widespread, but right now it is hard to forecast exactly what technologies will be used in different places in ten, 15 or 20 years' time. They are changing very quickly. We are advancing the fabric performance that makes a dwelling suitable for use of low carbon technologies. As for preparing for other technologies that may be available for use in the future, they are difficult to predict. The requirement is that the designer comply with the current performance requirements set.