Timber in Construction Steering Group
- Published on: 28 February 2024
- Last updated on: 17 November 2025
- Introduction
- Findings
- Membership
- Meeting Documents
- Relevant Documents
- Thematic Groups
- Documents in Ireland and EU Context
Introduction
The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction whilst ensuring the highest degree of building safety and property protection; to examine regulatory and standardisation challenges; and to maximise the use of home-grown timber in construction.
The Steering Group is made up of representatives of key industry bodies, as well as senior representatives of relevant government departments and agencies with responsibilities for policy and development of sectors. The Independent Chair was appointed by Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett. The group members were appointed by Minister of State Hackett and reports to the Senior Officials Group for Climate and Environment and the Housing for All Industry Capability Working Group as well as an annual report to Government.
Findings
In October 2025, Ministers Peter Burke and Michael Healy-Rae published a new report on the ability of timber to offer a sustainable solution to Ireland’s construction and infrastructure delivery challenges. An Excel-based Scenario tool, designed to model market value, timber volume, and carbon emissions, is also available.
In August 2025, Ministers Heydon, Healy-Rae and Grealish launched the report titled “Pioneering Research and Innovation for timber and wood‑based products in Ireland”.
In July 2025, Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, launched a new report titled “Research and Development Needs for Timber in Construction in Ireland”
In October 2024, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett, announced the publication of two reports titled “Global Policies Influencing the Greater Adoption of Timber in Construction” and “Timber in Construction Academic Survey”.
Membership
Meeting Documents
Minutes
Agenda
Relevant Documents
• Timber in Construction Steering Group: Terms of Reference
The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction whilst ensuring the highest degree of building safety and property protection; to examine regulatory and standardisation challenges; and to maximise the use of home-grown timber in construction.
Thematic Groups
Documents in Ireland and EU Context
- Forest Strategy 2023-2030
- Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland
- Climate Action Plan 2024
- National Development Plan 2021-2030
- Modern Methods of Construction Introductory Guide
- Forests and wood products, and their importance in climate change mitigation
- Irelands 4th National Biodiversity Plan
- European Green Deal
- Building a Zero Carbon Ireland