Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions due to the implementation of building regulations by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to the implementation of building regulations for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37168/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated annual cost to Ireland due to greenhouse gas emissions for 2005 and each additional year that the new building regulations are delayed; the estimated loss of savings in terms of emissions for 2005 and each additional year that the new building regulations are delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37169/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.

Higher thermal performance standards apply to new dwellings commencing on or after 1 January 2003 under amending Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Building Regulations 2002 and the related 2002 edition of technical guidance document L published by my Department. The setting of a single operative date, 2003, involved bringing forward phased operative dates, 2002 and 2005, envisaged in the national climate change strategy. This was made possible when an independent energy research group, UCD study, commissioned by the broadly based building regulations advisory body, showed that all commonly used house building systems could be insulated to comply with the higher thermal performance standards involved.

The operative date of 1 January 2003 is subject to a transitional exemption of new dwellings for which planning permission was sought on or before 31 December 2002, provided the construction of the dwellings concerned is substantially completed by 31 December 2005. This transitional provision is commonly included in major changes to the building code, so as not to disrupt the start of work on new buildings at an advanced stage of planning or design.

It is estimated that the amendment to the Part L regime in 2002 will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 250,000 tonnes per annum by end 2012, in line with the estimate contained in the national climate change strategy. This estimate is based on the assumption that some 420,000 new houses will be completed to the amended Part L standards, by end 2012. It is not possible reliably to estimate how many new houses have benefited from the transitional provision outlined above during 2003-05.

It is reasonable to expect that the overall target of an estimated 420,000 house completions will be achieved by end 2012. Specific house completion forecasts have not been made for each year to 2012. Accordingly, the question does not arise of annual shortfalls from CO2 emission reduction targets, or consequential annual costs, between 2005 and 2012.

I intend to amend Part L of the building regulations soon to set higher thermal performance and insulation standards for new non-domestic buildings commencing on or after 1 July 2006, which it is estimated will result in a further reduction in CO2 emissions of 45,000 tonnes per annum, by end 2012. The thermal performance standards for new dwellings are due for review and further upward adjustment by 2008. These prospective developments should enable CO2 emission reduction targets from new construction, as contained in the national climate change strategy,to be exceeded by 2012.