Ms Marie Donnelly:

I had two conversations with the hemp association in Ireland on the progress that has been made and the recognition of it. I put its members in contact with the SEAI to have a better recognition of hemp and its role in the construction process. For example, the council has requested and supported the notion and objective of increasing the use of wood in the construction of houses in Ireland. As the Deputy knows, building regulations allow for construction of up to three floors using wood, but in other parts of Europe it can go as high as ten. An update of the regulations, benefiting from the experience elsewhere, could take us in a positive direction.