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During the meeting, both Minister Healy-Rae and the Timber in Construction Steering Group reviewed the progress made over the past year and looked at how to shape the future.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Healy-Rae said: "Ireland has a significant opportunity to expand the use of timber in construction, supporting our climate goals while delivering housing needs. Sustainable timber construction practices will require us to build smarter, higher and safer. The work of this group is vital in identifying the approaches to wider adoption of timber construction, and to finding practical solutions.
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"A coordinated approach through this Steering Group, across all relevant stakeholders including Government, industry, and research institutions, will provide the catalyst for this change. I look forward to the group's annual report and interim recommendations being brought to Cabinet shortly, setting the course for the next phase of this important work."
The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established in November 2023, and focuses on five key thematic areas: Market Opportunity, Regulation and Standards, Public Procurement and Demonstration Projects, Research and Development, and Communication and Education.
The Chair of the Group, Professor J. Owen Lewis, added: "With a strong focus on collaboration, the group has already made progress in identifying pathways to increase confidence in timber as a mainstream construction material.
"Work is ongoing to identify potential markets for increasing the use of timber in both public and private sector construction, thereby decreasing embodied carbon emissions. The group has engaged in raising awareness among architects, engineers, and policymakers about the benefits and feasibility of timber in construction, and will continue to engage with wider audiences."
