Madam, - I write on behalf of the Irish Concrete Federation, the National Trade Organisation for the quarry and concrete products industry in Ireland. Your Editorial (September 24th) "Saving energy in the home", accuses the Department of the Environment of shilly-shallying on the introduction of higher energy-efficient standards "largely because of its over-weening concern to protect the concrete industry".
You imply that the concrete industry is in some way in cahoots with the Department of the Environment to deliberately keep standards low to protect the concrete products industry.
I wish to once again put on the record that the Irish Concrete Federation has never made any such representation to the Department of the Environment or any of its employees. The federation, like all representative bodies, has regularly been invited to comment on proposed changes to the building regulations and we have always positively welcomed and encouraged all such improvements. In fact we have gone further, in suggesting significant insulation improvements over the years. Also, I wish categorically to refute any suggested allegation that there has been or is any improper relationship between the Department of the Environment and the Irish Concrete Federation.
The Irish Concrete Federation, on behalf of its members - unlike the timber frame industry - has no need to seek protection or support from any section of government as its products have, will and currently continue to outperform any other construction building method in terms of energy efficiency performance, fire safety, noise insulation, thermal mass efficiency, as all independent studies have shown. - Yours, etc,
JOHN MAGUIRE, Chief Executive, Irish Concrete Federation, Newlands Business Park, Dublin 22.