Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all domestic dwellings for sale or rent must have, as and from 1 January 2009, a building energy rating certificate upon sale or letting; the person who will carry out this rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34695/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings was transposed into Irish law in the form of the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006.

In accordance with Article 7 of these Regulations, a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate was required for a new dwelling with effect from 1 January 2007, with a transitional arrangement, linked to prior planning applications, which expired on 30 June 2008. A BER certificate will be required for a building of any class in existence, including a dwelling, for sale or letting on or after 1 January 2009, unless otherwise exempted — for example, in the case of a national monument or a protected structure.

BER certificates are issued by qualified BER assessors who have completed the necessary training and have been registered by the issuing authority, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), to carry out the assessment of buildings.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on extending the expiry date for planning permission to seven years and including a requirement that all construction on an extended planning permission would have to comply with the proposed increased environmental measures to be introduced in 2010 to help revive the building industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34703/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I assume that the Question refers to proposed amendments to the Building Regulations.

It is intended that Part L of the Building Regulations — Conservation of Fuel and Energy — will be upgraded in 2010 to achieve a 60% improvement in primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions in new dwellings relative to 2005 standards. A review is also currently underway to identify realisable but ambitious targets for improvements in primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions for buildings other than dwellings, which will also take effect in 2010. All proposals in this regard, including any transitional implementation arrangements which may be appropriate in the context of planning permissions, will be progressed in consultation with the Building Regulations Advisory Body, a statutory body which includes representation from a broad cross-section of the construction industry, and will entail a public consultation process.