Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree wholeheartedly. I refer to some of the elements that are already under way in our Department, such as the targets we have set in respect of vacant and derelict properties in the coming years and targets for local authorities, as well as the work my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, is doing around Town Centre First, which are bringing a significant amount of building stock back into use. All of those initiatives will help in this regard.

As regards low-carbon cement, it being the default is an open goal we could all achieve. It is an issue on which I campaigned or worked ten or 15 years ago. The use of GGBS cement is critical. Cement is a very high-carbon product. This is something we could do and achieve easily.

Similarly, in the area of forestry policy we have Project Woodland that is being led by the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. When timber is used in buildings, that locks up that carbon in them for good. The appropriate place will be the Oireachtas joint committee. I will speak to the Chairman, Deputy Matthews, to try to get a session specifically on this important issue. I thank the Deputy for raising it.

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