asked the Minister for Energy the proposals or further proposals there are for improving energy conservation in (a) domestic dwellings, (b) office premises and (c) industrial buildings.

While State financing for energy conservation activities has not escaped the necessary cut-backs of recent years, some resources are being made available and the conservation programme is constantly being reviewed. It is also necessary to bear in mind that certain beneficial activities, such as the Energy Management Association, launched and supported by the State in their initial years, are now self-sustaining and will continue to improve our overall performance in energy conservation.

The main elements of the current programme are advice and information for the domestic sector provided mainly by the Department and the advisory services for industry, commerce and the public sector carried out by the IIRS. All new local authority and grant-aided houses are subject to minimum insulation requirements and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, will incorporate minimum standards for all buildings into future building regulations. The IDA also require new grant-aided industrial buildings to meet minimum insulation requirements.

Other proposals will be considered depending on resources allocated for this purpose and the cost effectiveness of particular actions.

Can the Minister give an indication of when the new regulations requiring certain standards in all new buildings will be available and enforceable?

This is a matter for the Department of the Environment. I gather that the regulations are at present being drafted.

Have the Department of Energy been involved, and will that Department participate in the drawing up of the regulations?

We would have been involved with the Department of the Environment, giving technical assistance in the drafting of the regulations.