Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason there was a delay in implementing increased energy efficiency provisions in the Building Regulations, namely the lowering of the u-value in roof and wall construction, from when he was first made aware of the need to increase energy efficiency standards in May 1998 to when the Building Regulations were revised in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Thermal performance and insulation standards under Part L of the Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) have been progressively increased since their introduction in 1992 and are due for further upward adjustment by 2008.

The 2000 National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS) proposed that 1997 Part L thermal performance standards (operative since 1 July 1998) be significantly increased in two phases — in mid 2002 and 2005. However, it was subsequently decided to implement this increase in a single step and draft Part L Regulations and draft Technical Guidance Document L were issued in 2001 for public consultation. Following the completion of the consultation process amending Part L Regulations were made in 2002 for new dwellings commencing on or after I January 2003. It is estimated that the enhanced standards will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 250,000 tonnes per annum by the end of 2012, in line with the estimate contained in the NCCS.

Part L was again amended in 2005 to require higher thermal performance and insulation standards for new non-domestic buildings which commenced on or after July 2006. It is estimated that these enhanced standards will result in a further reduction in CO2 emissions of 45,000 tonnes per annum by the end of 2012.