Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

That would not be too bad for someone who was Minister for Finance.

More emphasis should be placed on interviewing applicants for such a career. Many young people wish to attain the highest standards in the context of professions into which they wish to enter. They wish to be doctors, architects, teachers, etc., but may not achieve the required points. However, they may have shown an interest in their studies and excelled in areas that could assist or ought to be considered when seeking to enter such professions. I do not suggest that the old-boys' network or the old school tie should apply in this area. However, when demand exceeds supply, third level institutions ought to introduce an interview system to factor in other attributes, which could be significant in obtaining a standard of excellence in a career.

The EU energy performance of buildings directive is important and will change the way houses will be built and sold. Those without the standard will not obtain the desired price for their houses. On a recent television programme, Duncan Stewart outlined how to change a house with high-energy usage to a low-energy model and emphasised the value to be obtained by minimising heat loss etc.

A study has shown that, owing to the thermal inefficiency of their homes, more elderly people die in Ireland during the winter than in countries, such as Norway, with similar populations. This relates to the lack of energy conservation. I acknowledge the money that has been spent by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in improving the quality of older people's homes and the grants available through different organisations to assist in making a house more thermally efficient. The Government should consider a better scheme to assist people who, as they get older, do not have the money to repair their houses in a way that allows them to maintain good health. Many people are dying because they cannot make their homes as energy efficient as they ought to be.

I look forward to the debate on the Bill. Amendments will be tabled on Committee Stage, many of which will be proposed by the professional organisations. This is a very important Bill and I ask the Minister to respond to the queries I raised.

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