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

Certainly, we are not waiting for the EU. It is worth reiterating that the building regulations are performance-based and technology and material neutral. These regulations are subject to ongoing review in the interests of the safety and well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. With regard to the current review of Part B of the building regulations dealing with fire safety, it is expected the revised regulations will be signed this quarter and the associated technical guidance document B, the regulatory impact analysis, will be published at the same time. I, along with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien look forward to seeing the output of the timber construction working group on the review of the challenges to the use of timber for construction in Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is supportive of the work of the group and of the development of standards and guidance to support demonstration of compliance with timber construction in building regulations. Compliance with high standards including compliance with all parts of the building regulations will continue to be central to the success of modern methods of construction in Ireland. Very significant debate took place on this at the select committee's deliberation on the Planning and Development Bill. I do think we are moving in the right direction and in our Department and across Government we want to ensure we decarbonise our construction and the building sector entirely.