Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which EU policy directives on energy efficient buildings is operational; if new buildings under construction comply with these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20357/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The energy performance of buildings directive, 2002/91/EC, was adopted on 16 December 2002. While the transposition deadline for this directive is 4 January 2006, the option of a longer period, up to 4 January 2009, is provided for the implementation of more complex provisions regarding mandatory energy performance rating or labelling of newly constructed buildings and of existing buildings, when existing buildings are sold or let; improvement of the energy efficiency of boilers; and mandatory inspection of air conditioning systems.

Where the longer transitional period is applied, compliance with the above provisions would be required only from the later date of implementation of the directive. The draft action plan for the implementation of the EU energy performance of buildings directive in Ireland was published on 27 April 2005, for public and industry comment, by Sustainable Energy Ireland on behalf of an interdepartmental working group comprising senior officials from my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, and Sustainable Energy Ireland. The draft action plan proposes the phased implementation of the directive during 2006 to 2009. The three month period for submission of comments to Sustainable Energy Ireland on the draft action plan ends on 29 July 2005. A copy of the draft action plan has been placed in the Oireachtas Library.