The Irish Government has appointed Professor J Owen Lewis as Chair of the Interdepartmental and Industry Timber in Construction Steering group.

The Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett, made the announcement at the Build With Wood Conference.

The new group will examine conditions and assess regulatory and standardisation challenges to increase the use of timber in construction and home-grown timber.

Made up of industry and Government Departments, the steering group will bring together key government departments who have important roles in developing the forest resources and the built environment, including innovation and market development.

Minister Hackett said: "I am very pleased that Professor J Owen Lewis has agreed to Chair the Timber in Construction Steering group. Owen comes with a wide range of experience in senior management roles and considerable expertise in engineering, sustainability, and architecture. I have every confidence that Owen will bring the dedication and leadership needed to realise the Steering Group's full potential so that it can deliver on our shared objectives."

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Professor J Owen Lewis stated: "From my professional and academic backgrounds, I have a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities relevant to the increased use of timber in construction. I believe we are at a time of extraordinary opportunities for timber to be efficiently used to deliver net zero with a focus on embodied energy and carbon neutrality. I will work with this new group to bring together professionals, government departments and State agencies to examine and propose solutions to how we can increase the use of timber in the Irish construction sector."

Minister Darragh O Brien said: "I welcome the appointment of the Chair and the establishment of this important group to support the use of timber in construction. Modern Methods of Construction is a key initiative of the Government’s Housing for All plan to promote a culture of innovation in residential construction to support the delivery of more and better homes. The work of the Timber in Construction Steering Group further supports this initiative. I look forward to my Department’s participation in this group and to seeing the benefits for the construction industry and the public.”