Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason his Department refused to support an Office of Public Works proposal to use so-called green cement in public building projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30947/06]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the representations made to his Department in relation to the Office of Public Works proposals on the use of green cement in public building projects; the main criticisms made by the cement manufacturers association to the proposal; his reasons for declining to support the proposal; the plans he has to reverse this decision in increase the use of green cement as part of the effort to meet our Kyoto commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30905/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 199 together.

My Department is committed to encouraging consideration of environmentally friendly products and processes in the construction industry generally and particularly in the local government sector for which it has overall responsibility. In line with this approach, and with the co-operation of the industry, my Department has already promoted major advances in the recycling of construction and demolition waste. In this context, my Department will write shortly to all local authorities spelling out the relevance of updated EU procurement directives, which enable environmentally friendly considerations to be taken into account when procuring public infrastructure.

The recent initiative by OPW on the specification of cements in buildings to be produced by them is welcome in this context. Concerns regarding this initiative were expressed to my Department by the Irish Cement Foundation. My Department's response was to advise that these concerns should be addressed directly to OPW.

The National Climate Change Strategy and the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme demonstrate the Government's commitment to reducing Ireland's carbon emissions and my Department will work with all concerned to make progress in this vitally important area.