Wind Energy Generation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Questions (377)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that existing planning laws are adequate to ensure that local communities will not be adversely affected by the location of high-output wind farms, that such developments are sufficiently distant from residential or institutional accommodation, that the danger of shadow noise, shimmer, electromagnetic or other interference can be sufficiently addressed to the satisfaction of local communities, whether any further provisions are likely to be governed by guidelines, statutory regulations or instruments or otherwise, if strict adherence to environment impact requirements will be observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44823/13]

Written answers

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

My Department issued detailed Guidelines to planning authorities in 2006 in relation to the assessment of proposed wind farm developments. These Guidelines offer advice to planning authorities on planning for wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission. The guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and the treatment of planning applications for such developments. While I am generally satisfied with the operation of these Guidelines, my Department is currently undertaking a targeted review of the Guidelines focusing on noise, proximity and shadow flicker. The indicative timetable for the publication of the draft statutory guidelines is Quarter 4 2013. 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, to allow for publication of the final guidelines in 2014. Once the consultation period is closed, the submissions received on the draft guidelines will be considered and taken into account in the final form of the guidelines.