Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce new building guidelines for larger developments which will include CHP and district heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16609/06]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce nationally applicable building guidelines which will require a significant percentage of energy needs to be supplied by renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16604/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 101 together.

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC of 16 December 2002) requires that the economic, environmental and technical feasibility of alternative energy systems — including CHP, district heating and renewable energy systems — should be assessed during the design of large buildings over 1,000 m2. This requirement is being transposed by Section 5 of the Building Control Bill 2005, which is now before the House. Sustainable Energy Ireland is at present developing software to help designers carry out relevant assessments.