Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the legislation in place to ensure that in adopting county development plans, local area plans and strategic development zone planning schemes, local authorities are helping to ensure that Ireland's targets on greenhouse gas emissions and obligations in respect of climate change are met. [22222/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 10(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires a development plan to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the plan area. Section 10(2) of the Act sets out the mandatory objectives of a development plan which include, inter alia, the conservation and protection of the environment. Furthermore, Section 9(6) requires that development plans be consistent with national plans, policies and strategies.

Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans were published by my Department in June 2007. The guidelines, which have a statutory basis under Section 28 of the Act, state that development plans must offer clear guidance on sustainable development policies and objectives, both national and local, which address the various issues involved such as climate change and the sustainable use of natural resources. In accordance with section 9(6), the guidelines set out that development plans should be consistent with the objectives of the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 and with other related Government initiatives and commitments to reducing energy consumption and modifying the impacts of climate change.

Similarly, section 19(2) of the Act requires a local area plan to be consistent with the objectives of the development plan for the area in which it is situated. Accordingly, climate change policies and objectives contained in the development plan should translate to, and be reflected in, the local area plan.

Regarding a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), section 168(2)(f) of the Act requires that an SDZ planning scheme should include proposals relating to minimizing any adverse effects on the environment, including the natural and built environment, and on the amenities of the area.

In addition to the statutory requirements in relation to the planning code for development plans, local area plans and SDZs, and in keeping with Ireland's obligations on greenhouse gas emissions and the need to reduce carbon fuel energy consumption, the Programme for Government provides for a revision of Part L of the Building Regulations to "introduce new national building standards in 2007 to ensure that new housing has 40% lower heat energy demand than existing buildings standards and revise them again in 2010 to achieve a 60% target in further years".

In keeping with that commitment, I published draft Building Regulations under Part L of the Building Regulations on 21 September 2007. These draft Regulations provide for an average reduction of at least 40% in primary energy consumption and a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. Moreover, for the first time the Regulations will introduce:

a minimum requirement for the use of renewable energy sources;

energy-efficient boilers;

energy-efficient artificial lighting systems; and

improved airtightness of the building fabric. The draft Regulations provide for a commencement date of 1 July, 2008.

The draft Regulations and associated Technical Guidance Document are now the subject of a public consultation process, which will continue to 26 October 2007. All submissions received will be comprehensively assessed and given due consideration prior to finalising new Building Regulations before the end of the year.