Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

There has been a debate involving a particular building company to get rid of the hollow block. If that company wishes to make the case, I am prepared to listen to what has been and will be said. I do not believe it is as big a problem as Senator O'Toole has suggested.

I do not foresee the Government suggesting it has any preference for a particular form of house building. The Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers' Association has co-operated with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to implement a package of measures to facilitate timber frame construction. This was recommended in a report on timber frame housing in Ireland commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Timber frame houses are clearly very effective and are more popular. We should put in place some measures to lower the cost of providing that type of house.

We have a very interesting motion that covers two Departments, as Senator O'Toole has noted. We have had some debate on the Green Paper. The progress we have made should be recognised, and I commend the Department for that. We clearly must make more progress to try to meet the standards laid down. I hope the Government can do that as soon as possible.