Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2013
146. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will conduct an inquiry into the granting of planning permissions for wind farms in north Wexford in terms of the appropriateness of the decisions and allegations that some who made the decisions benefited from same; and if he will outline the other remedies open to residents who have concerns. [34084/13]
View answer147. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to any concerns regarding the operation of wind farms in County Wexford; and the action he will take in relation to same. [34085/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
The development and operation of a wind farm in Ireland requires planning permission from the relevant planning authority. It also requires an Authorisation to Construct or Reconstruct a Generating Station and a Licence to Generate from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The issue of planning permission is a matter between the developer of a wind farm and the relevant planning authority, subject to the Planning Acts, which include requirements for public consultation. Applications for Authorisations to Construct or Reconstruct a Generating Station and Licences to Generate are assessed by the CER ahead of the granting or refusing of an application for planning permission. The conditions imposed in the Authorisation and the Licence must be met by the generator and compliance is monitored by the CER on an ongoing basis. I do not have a role with regard to the permitting or monitoring of individual wind farms.
