Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

This specific and technical amendment proposes the inclusion of three additional points in an existing section of the Bill. It is part of a section that deals with new ways of looking at things, and not before time. Better construction standards have been voluntarily adopted by local authorities in places like Dún Laoghaire. Contrary to what Deputy Bannon has suggested, we are statutorily requiring local authorities to ensure that when planning permission is awarded for houses, that will not lead to increased guzzling of gas and oil. As we do not have such resources, we have to import them. The price of oil will increase as we approach peak oil. One of the elements of the Government strategy is an attempt to create more self-sufficient forms of energy. That will involve reducing our energy usage, where possible. If local authorities do not take on board the need to reduce energy demand in response to the likely increases in energy costs, a further unwarranted expense will be placed on people as they move into new homes. BER standards are significantly higher in areas with newer buildings than they are in more settled areas. Therefore, the energy costs of residents in such areas are lower. As we move down the line, there will be two types of residents. There will be those who are being crucified by high energy costs and those who have managed, through the insulation schemes or proper planning, to reduce their bills.

I particularly welcome the second and third additions relating to greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change. They are directly in line with what Deputy Bannon said, and I praise him for bringing this up. Floods have always happened and, as the Minister of State has said, certain areas are prone to flooding. Met Éireann has predicted that because of climate change we will have more rainfall in Ireland and, therefore, more floods. Local authorities must consider the effect of climate change over a period of time. Climate does not refer to the weather this year or next year but to conditions over a period of time. In my constituency, for example, Lucan village was flooded in 1993 and 2000. The local authority said this was a one in 100 year flood. If this sort of legislation is enacted the council might say it was more like a one in 30 or 40 year flood. Therefore, we must strengthen river defences. We must also make sure that planning permission is not granted to build on flood plains.

This measure copperfastens the protection of both rural and urban communities by making sure planners take local issues and topography on board, as well as the changing national climate. This will ensure that we properly plan and develop low cost energy efficient homes that will not need expensive flood insurance. This is very welcome.

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