Members of the Board of Hardware Association Ireland met with Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, on 12th November to discuss a number of critical issues facing the sector. In particular the HAI Board members discussed the Government’s `Housing for All` plan and how HAI are key stakeholders in the Government’s plans to deliver on their housing and climate action targets. Central to the discussion were HAI’s proposals on retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency and the need for a new home renovation incentive scheme.
There was also a discussion on the urgent need for Government support and training to increase the numbers of staff in the sector, particularly in the area of retrofitting. Commenting on the meeting, Hardware Association Ireland Chief Executive, Martin Markey, said; ‘’We had a very positive and constructive discussion with Minister O’Brien. We raised a number of issues that are very keenly felt by members of Hardware Association Ireland and outlined some ways in which we think they could be resolved. Minister O’Brien was very receptive about these and we are looking forward to maintaining a good relationship with him and his office.’’
Martin went on to say; ‘’Among the key issues that were discussed at the meeting were the Climate Action Plan and Carbon Budgets as our sector will be crucial to this. We also discussed the `Housing for All plan` which is going to be hugely important in the next two years. Minister O’Brien was also brought up to speed on many of the urgent issues facing the sector, including supply chain issues, Brexit and Materials and Timber shortages.’’
The meeting took place at the Wavin Ireland factory in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and Minister O’Brien was given a guided tour of the facility. After the meeting, HAI presented Minister O’Brien with an original copy of a 1963 Time magazine which featured the then Taoiseach Sean Lemass. Sean Lemass was pivotal in the creation of Wavin Ireland and later became Chairman of the Board.
