The Irish construction industry could receive a €9 billion boost if the government tightened energy efficiency regulations, according to the country's building federation.

The Construction Industry Federation's Environmental Services Section has suggested improving existing Irish homes would prove the best action in tackling greenhouse gas emissions.

The CIF's analysis also points to this strategy as the most cost effective approach.

Around 900,000 of the country's homes were built prior to 1990's Building Control Act, which was the forerunner for later regulations.

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These 895,783 houses represent over half of Ireland's 1.6 million housing stock, and many only carry an energy rating of D or lower.

The CIF has suggested straightforward measures such as insulting attics and filing cavity walls could significantly better energy ratings for these homes.

It estimates the work could cost €10,000 per house, on average.

Head of CIF, Tom Parlon, said: "The Environmental Protection Agency has pointed to the difficulties Ireland faces in achieving a 20% reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2020.

"Investment in retrofitting the existing housing stock would go a long way towards helping to achieve this target.

"Individually, the homeowner would benefit by reducing their heating bill, and nationally the tax payer would benefit by saving money on carbon credits," he added.

(PR/JM)