Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I welcome and support the motion. There is more carbon dioxide in the air than ever before, not just in measurable parts per million, and the rise in CO2 levels is increasingly the subject of public controversy. Some people feel the rise in emissions is no less a threat than terrorism, avian influenza or rising oil prices. The planetary consequences of atmospheric carbon dioxide are what former US Vice-President, Al Gore, referred to in his documentary as "an inconvenient truth".

Architects are increasingly coming to the conclusion that new buildings should be designed to use only half the fossil fuel energy used today by such buildings. The goal for 2030 is to have reached a position where new buildings are carbon neutral or use no energy from fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gases. There is the concept of a passive house, even in Ireland. This is a house that does not give off carbon emissions. There are systems available that contribute to improvement in this regard, for example, Quad-Lock systems.

I welcome the grant aid that is available for people who want to change the type of energy they use, for example, grant aid for wood pellet heating systems or solar panels. However, it is almost pointless providing these grants unless the Government examines the possibility of reintroducing grants for improving insulation. There is no point in heating a house and allowing the heat escape through the ceiling. These grants should be coupled or increased to allow people improve the insulation of their houses.

In 25 years time we should, ideally, be in a situation where no oil, coal or natural gas are required to build, heat, cool or light new buildings. We should be thinking along these lines, but we have not moved into that groove yet. Architects could contribute significantly towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions through better design of new and the renovation of existing buildings. With regard to public buildings, no more than in the area of public transport, the Government has an onus to lead and give direction to the public. Such innovations could include configuring buildings to be heated, cooled, ventilated and lit more efficiently, specifying green and recyclable construction materials. This would also entail buying renewable energy, while harnessing solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy and exploiting available energy technologies.

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