The final report from the interdepartmental and industry Timber in Construction Steering Group has been officially published, outlining a series of strategic recommendations to expand the use of timber within Ireland's construction industry.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, presented the report to the cabinet earlier today following extensive collaboration between various government departments, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders.

The report establishes seven strategic recommendations with assigned leads and specific deadlines for implementation. The framework is built around three interconnected pillars: Regulation and Standards; Procurement and Carbon Policy; and Innovation, Training and Adoption, all aimed at fostering a low-carbon built environment.

Minister Heydon said: "This report highlights the excellent work and collaboration between government department, academia and industry bodies to unlock the full potential of our timber sector and support the use of timber in construction and the forest owners in Ireland."

Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins TD, acknowledged the contributions of chairperson Professor Owen Lewis, the steering group, and more than 60 stakeholders who investigated the opportunities and barriers facing the sector over the last two years.

Minister Collins said: "I am pleased to see the publication of this final report. The recommendations are derived from the outputs of the Group over the last two years. I would like to acknowledge the work of the chair Professor Owen Lewis, the steering group and over 60 stakeholders who gave their time to examine challenges and opportunities to increase the use of timber in construction. These recommendations form a roadmap towards safe regulation and increased use of timber. With a view to progressing the recommendations, my department will facilitate coordination across the lead departments who will be tasked with examining their implementation."

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Minister Collins continued: "Increasing the use of timber will also support our forest owners and develop markets which will help drive increasing afforestation in the future. Providing markets for timber is a driver of sustainable forest management and supports Ireland National Forest Strategy."

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, also welcomed the publication, noting that the document addresses various challenges including regulation, procurement, safety, and market creation.

Minister Browne added: "I welcome this report from the Timber in Construction Steering Group, which outlines the work undertaken to deal with a range of challenges, including those relating to regulation, safety procurement and developing market opportunities. The recommendations will assist us to further unlock the potential of our home-grown timber and support our climate goals."

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, emphasised the economic and environmental value of the national forestry sector, pointing to regional employment growth and innovation in building techniques.

Minister Burke said: "Ireland's forestry is a valuable resource – to reduce our emissions, innovate in our construction sector and create high-quality regional employment. The work of the Timber in Construction Group sets out the policy opportunities that will really drive a step change in our use of timber. It is a credible policy roadmap to unlock value-add in our timber sector, deliver housing through Modern Methods of Construction and reduce the environmental impact of building. I look forward to working with Government colleagues and the timber sector on its implementation."

The Chair of the Group, Professor J Owen Lewis, concluded: "This report represents a significant milestone in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon, resilient built environment. The strong collaboration across stakeholders reflects a shared understanding, that the need for increased housing can be achieved while addressing climate action demand through the use of timber. The task now is to achieve sustained leadership, policy support and industry commitment to translate these recommendations into delivery."