Wind Energy Guidelines

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Questions (393, 394)

Willie Penrose

Question:

393. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate whether his Department has studied comprehensively the recent decision of An Bord Pleanála in the Straboy Wind Energy Limited application; the decision made therein; and in particular the comments which indicated that the wind energy guidelines are totally inadequate in respect of the issuance of guidance concerning noise generated by such turbines and they fail to comply with European law in relation to NEIA to assess the issue in the context of the impact on human beings and their failure to carry out the appropriate assessment in relation to the impact on lives and public health and the clear and fundamental failure to analyse sensitivity, actual health effects and the potential effects of infrasound and any necessity for greater constraint relevant to vulnerable receptors; if he will indicate the steps his Department is taking to address these serious shortcomings as outlined in the said decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33342/13]

Willie Penrose

Question:

394. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate the person who has been appointed to undertake the review of the wind energy guidelines 2006, which pertain to the erection of industrial wind turbines, and who would task the job of reviewing the submissions made in respect thereof in February 2013; if he will indicate when a draft review of the said guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33343/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together.

While, as Minister, I am specifically precluded under the Planning and Development Acts, as amended, from involvement in any particular matter with which a planning authority or the Board may be concerned, I am aware of the decision in this case and of the comments of the Board Inspector on the guidelines. My Department is studying the report and will consider it in the context of the on-going review of aspects of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006. The Planning Section of my Department is carrying out this review in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to ensure that Ireland continues to meet its renewable energy targets and, at the same time, that wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities. The review is examining the manner in which the Guidelines address key issues of community concern such as noise, proximity and visual amenity and any other potential impacts, as considered appropriate, as well as ways of building community support for wind energy development. All statutory planning guidelines issue first in draft form for a public consultation over a period of a couple of months. Once the consultation period is closed the submissions received on the draft guidelines are considered and taken into account in the final form of the guidelines. The draft guidelines will – like all other new or revised guidelines – go out for extensive public consultation for a period of 6 weeks to 2 months. The indicative timetable for the publication of the draft guidelines is Quarter 4 2013.