Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I pleased to announce that I launched a call for expressions of interest for membership to the new Timber Working Group in Construction earlier this week. The new working group will bring together key Departments, Industry and experts from representative bodies to work across a range of thematic areas aimed at increasing the use of timber in construction in construction. It is vitally important that we learn from best practice and ensure that we create the conditions to use more timber in our built environment. Using timber locks up carbon in buildings and when it replaces materials made from non renewable resources can play an important part in contributing to our climate change targets.

Details on the expression of interest call is available on my Departments website and the closing date is 28th July 2023. Once the membership is finalised an independent chair will be appointed by my Department who is providing the secretariat to the group.

The establishment of this working group will also play a key role in delivering on a range of actions as outlined in Irelands Draft Forest Strategy and complement a range actions in Irelands Climate Action Plan. Irelands forests are set to increase in production over the next decade and with our ambitious plans to build more houses we have an excellent opportunity to build more sustainably.