Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do look at that and we deal with it as much as we possibly can. Senator Lawlor also spoke about house quality. There have been improvements to the quality of houses and reductions in heat bills through regulations that were introduced over the past years. The Senator has left the Chamber and perhaps Senators will let him know if they are talking to him that we have signed off on new regulations will be introduced in one month that will help us towards nearly zero energy, NZEB, houses. This kicks off on 1 November. This will set the bar even higher for housing quality and construction and will lead on to greater energy efficiency and lower emissions. It will also lower the price people will pay to heat their homes. Compared to a house built perhaps ten or 15 years ago, there will be a difference of some €800 a year in the price of the energy bill.