Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Ireland is one of only two EU member states which are known to have produced an integrated action plan for the implementation of all aspects of the directive. The plan was published on 1 August last. Ireland has made substantial progress in the legal transposition of the directive. Ireland is one of only 11 member states against whom the European Commission is not taking infringement proceedings for failure to transpose the directive.

The action plan proposes that the building energy rating will be phased in as follows: energy rating of new dwellings from 1 January 2007; energy rating of new non-domestic buildings from 1 July 2008; and energy rating of existing buildings when offered for sale or letting from 1 January 2009.

These are challenging deadlines but they are evidence of the Government's commitment to improving energy efficiency. I am sure the House will agree that in the light of the policies I have outlined, the Government has a very creditable and ambitious sustainable energy plan. In the circumstances, I hope the House will accept that Ireland has a creditable record in implementing building energy rating, notwithstanding the complexities involved.

I wish to refer to Senator Tuffy, who is not here. The last amendment of the building regulations in 2002 increased energy performance standards by between 23% and 33%, depending on the size and type of house. That is a substantial increase by any measure, and for a few years it put Irish standards ahead of those of the UK.