NI 'must adopt green house plan'

The plan would make renewable energy sources mandatory

Irish government plans for greener housing should be introduced north of the border as well, Green Party assembly member Brian Wilson has said.

New homes must contain an element of renewable energy such as solar power or biomass heating under plans unveiled by Green Party Irish government ministers.

Construction industry officials claimed the proposals would add at least 15,000 euros to the price of a new home.

But Mr Wilson insisted such measures would not significantly increase costs.

"House builders at the moment are making a fortune - because of the demand for housing, they can charge what they like," he said.

What's happening in the Republic is creating a precedent, and we would encourage similar proposals Brian Wilson Green Party

"The actual cost of putting in solar panels or proper insulation is minimal compared to the overall price of the house."

He said the assembly should implement measures similar to those unveiled by his Green Party colleagues in the Irish Republic, Environment Minister John Gormley and Energy Minister Eamon Ryan.

"What's happening in the Republic is creating a precedent, and we would encourage similar proposals," he said.

"We seem to be pretty slow on the uptake over this sort of thing."

The draft regulations make it compulsory to fit at least some energy efficient light bulbs, set down efficiency standards for heating systems and have mandatory minimum requirements for the use of renewable energy.

The ministers are targeting a 40% improvement in energy efficiency for new homes in 2008 and a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

However, the Construction Industry Federation said this timescale was too short.