Results 1-20 of 1,031,957 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Patrick Nulty OR speaker:Holly Cairns OR speaker:Brian Leddin OR speaker:Cathal Crowe) in 'Committee meetings'

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: The purpose of this morning's meeting is to have a discussion on the circular economy as it relates to the construction sector. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following witnesses. From the Irish Green Building Council, Ms Marion Jammet, head of policy and advocacy, and Mr. Giovanni Impoco, circularity lead. From the Construction Industry Federation, Mr. Hubert Fitzpatrick,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: I thank Ms Jammet for her opening statement and go now to Mr. Fitzpatrick for his statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Fitzpatrick for his opening statement and call Deputy Kenny.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: Thank you for that. Deputy Bruton, do you want to go next?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: I thank Deputy Bruton. I wish to add to Mr. Fitzpatrick's point about the renovation of derelict properties and vacant properties in town centres. From a recent experience in County Limerick, I am aware that an incredible number of properties have been renovated over the past year or two. We are seeing new life being breathed into our towns and villages. That is very welcome, and long may...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: We might pass that on to the new Minister for Finance. That would be an easy one for him.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: In fairness to our guests, they are here in a voluntary capacity. They have engaged in good faith in the session. There has been good engagement with them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: I am happy to hear the response, but to be fair to the guests, they have engaged positively and in good faith with us today, which is to be welcomed. Did Mr. Stapleton wish to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: I am sure the Senator has more than two questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: Okay, go ahead.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: It is not quite on the circularity piece.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: I am sorry Senator, but you have already had about 20 minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: We will go back for a second round but I want to come in myself now, if I may. The Opera project in Limerick has been referenced by the Irish Green Building Council quite a few times. I am familiar with it as a representative for Limerick city. What is happening there is really good in terms of circularity, the use of demolition waste and making sure it is repurposed. It is quite exciting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: My next question is perhaps not one for CIF. The IGBC might be better placed to answer it, or maybe the CCMA, representatives of the local authorities or An Bord Pleanála itself. Due to the element of subjectivity, surely very qualified people are required to make these judgments. Otherwise the door is open for judicial challenge and so on. Ms Jammet may want to come in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: Which targets?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: On the methodology, we are looking at developing our own. We see now with the European performance of buildings directive we are looking at a consistent methodology across Europe for energy labelling. We are moving away from the BER we have had for the last ten or 12 years, I think, or at least the bands for the BERs across member states are going to be consistent now, which they have not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: Okay. I thank Ms Jammet for that. Does anyone else want to come in or are there any more questions from members?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: We will wrap up soon but I have a few more questions about embodied carbon. It was mentioned that there will be a mandatory methodology across Europe to measure embodied carbon in new builds from 2030. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: That all relates to new construction.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy as it relates to Construction Sector: Discussion (2 Jul 2024)

Brian Leddin: I refer to the context of new buildings, as well as the challenge of using more sustainable materials and reducing the carbon that will be built into the buildings at construction stage. I am thinking about timber and how in this country there is a regulatory barrier to using timber, particularly in taller buildings. If I remember correctly, in an earlier meeting of the housing committee it...