Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made to date in 2006 to recruit, train and register the estimated 2,000 energy rating assessors required to carry out inspections as set down in the EU energy performance building directive; and when the register of energy rating assessors is due to be operational. [5298/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the unwarranted delay in transposing the EU energy performance of buildings directive into Irish law; and when it is expected that the Building Control Bill 2005 will be discussed by the Houses of the Oireachtas. [5337/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 158 together.

Article 15 of the EU energy performance of buildings directive allows for the phasing in of the building energy rating, BER, of buildings not later than 4 January 2009. I understand that most EU member states are phasing in BER certification, over the period 2007 to 2009, under Article 15. I have already announced that I intend to phase in the BER certification in Ireland as follows: BER certification of new dwellings with effect from 1 January 2007; BER certification of new non-domestic buildings with effect from 1 January 2008; BER certification of existing buildings, when sold or let, with effect from 1 January 2009.

The draft action plan for the implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive in Ireland, published in April 2005, explained that time is needed to develop energy rating methodologies, to develop software tools to help designers and builders use these methodologies and to then train building professionals in the use of both the methodologies and the related software. My Department has just received the draft of the definitive action plan from Sustainable Energy Ireland, acting on behalf of an interdepartmental group which includes representatives of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and my Department. It has had regard to submissions received during the public consultation phase. I expect to approve this action plan and submit it to the EU Commission within the next month or so. The plan will be published and a copy will be placed in the Oireachtas Library.

The draft plan estimated that up to 2,000 building energy auditors would have to be trained, on a phased basis, for the BER certification of both new and existing buildings by 2009. I understand that Sustainable Energy Ireland plans to arrange the commencement of the training and registration of an estimated 500-1,000 auditors, in the second half of this year, for the energy rating of new dwellings, with effect from 1 January 2007. The training courses will be organised in partnership with relevant building professional organisations.

Just before Christmas, I made amending Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Building Regulations which provide the legal basis for the introduction of a building energy performance methodology for new dwellings, whereby performance will be measured according to the annual volume of CO2 emissions generated by heating dwellings. This will apply to new dwellings commencing on or after 1 July 2006 and will provide a platform for the introduction of a simple energy rating system, based on this performance, with effect from 1 January 2007. I will shortly publish the 2006 edition of technical guidance document L on how to comply with the amended part L.

I published the Building Control Bill on 22 December 2005. Sections 4 and 5 of the Bill transpose Articles 5 and 7 of the EU directive. The Second Reading is taking place in this House today and on Thursday.