OPW Building Programme
368. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that the Office of Public Works have been given the task of building new Government buildings throughout the country following the decentralisation programme, there are requirements to construct these new buildings according to environmental principles; the guidelines that have been set for using sustainable construction materials, high levels of energy efficiency and ecological landscaping materials and plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28663/05]
Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon): The OPW is committed to incorporating principles of sustainable design and energy efficiency into all of its building projects in line with Government policy on sustainable design and its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. In relation to the decentralisation programme it has prepared a substantial briefing document that forms part of the tender documentation for locations that are being procured on a design build basis. This document has issued already to tenderers for locations at Athlone, Newcastlewest and Killarney.
The briefing document provides a qualitative definition of the requirements to be provided by contractors in the design and construction of the building as well as referring them to relevant guidelines and publications. It also sets out for each location the scope of the project and the requirements of the building particularly in relation to the building regulations, the local planning authority and the Safety Health and Welfare Act, accessibility, sustainability, environment and building performance and so on. Moreover, in the award process for these projects the approach will be to reward sustainable design.