HAI Responds to Timber Legislations

Recent issues in relation to timber licencing and the legislation around it is an area of major concern to HAI. Timber is a keystone product and is integral to practically every building, renovation and retrofitting project.

Any threat to the supply flow will have profoundly negative impacts on business. As a sector we have already lost two and a half months of turnover, new housing builds will only reach an estimated 16,000 units by year end and we still have to contend with the fall-out from Brexit. The timber industry employs 12,000 in rural Ireland and has a healthy export market. It has made great strides over the years to implement green and sustainable work practices. If the current process is not resolved swiftly much more timber will be imported causing needless damage to jobs and businesses. It will also increase the carbon footprint and pose a threat to the biosecurity of our forests.

Following a number of discussions with members who are directly involved in the timber industry, our strategy is as follows

1. Forwarding letters highlighting the issue and requesting a meeting with all/each of the Ministers responsible.

2. An extensive article in the Sept/Oct Hardware Journal.

3. A marketing campaign involving members contacting relevant politicians on the issue, co-ordinated by HAI.

For more information please contact HAI CEO Martin Markey at martin@hardwareassociation.ie.