Junior agriculture minister Senator Pippa Hackett has announced a call for expressions of interest to participate in a new Timber in Construction Working Group.
Assessing regulatory and standardisation challenges
The group will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction, assessing regulatory and standardisation challenges to greater use of timber in construction, and maximising the use of home-grown timber.
The group will bring together a range of industry expertise and relevant government departments and agencies, with an independent chair. The department will provide the secretariat to the group and a chair will be appointed once the group’s membership has been finalised.
Minister Hackett said: “I am delighted to announce this call for expressions of interest from representative bodies, universities and industry experts. We want to hear from professionals who have the knowledge and expertise to work together with relevant government departments and state agencies to examine how we can increase the use of timber in the Irish construction sector.
"Right across Europe we are seeing increased use of timber as a reliable, sustainable material in the construction of large-scale buildings. The use of engineered wood such as cross laminated timber is facilitating new methods of construction, and we need to explore opportunities to embrace this shift here in Ireland.
Unlock potential
"We are establishing the Timber in Construction Working Group because we believe that the best way to unlock the potential for much greater use of timber in construction in Ireland is through industry experts collaborating with government departments and state agencies to assess where the barriers are, and how they can be overcome.”
The use of timber in construction and the built environment will play an important role in meeting our climate targets. Wood locks up carbon in buildings and reduces our reliance on materials made from non-renewable resources.
The working group will bring together key government departments who have important roles in developing the forest resource, the built environment, including innovation and market development. Key to the success of the group will be the input from industry and experts in construction.
The minister made the announcement recently while visiting a team of researchers at the University of Galway who have been at the cutting edge of timber research over many years. She said: “I am delighted to be here in the University of Galway today to see first-hand the excellent work that my department has funded over many years in timber research.
"The research that the university carries out supports the use and development of Irish timber and timber standards from our home-grown resource. My ultimate vision for that home-grown timber is that it will be used at scale to build the homes, schools and offices of the future here in Ireland.”
Professor Annette Harte from Galway University stated together with Dr Patrick McGetrick: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to host the Minister today and demonstrate the excellent work that is currently taking place in timber research in Ireland. We welcome the establishment of the new timber group in construction and will be delighted assist in its work.”
The closing date for receipt of applications for expression of Interest is 3pm, July 28, 2023, and details are available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website.