Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017
278. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which a legal case (details supplied) may affect wind energy guidelines here; if it may mean that local authorities are allowed to fill any legal gap in line with health values given by the WHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8599/17]
View answerI understand that the legal case referred to is still before the Courts in relation to the determination of costs and damages and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter, including in relation to any possible implications for the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Guidelines. Pending the finalisation of the review of the 2006 Guidelines, the existing Guidelines continue to apply. With regard to the recent ECJ Judgement in Case C-290/15 on the Belgian/Wallonian wind energy guidelines, as referred to, it is proposed to undertake a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the proposed revisions to the 2006 Guidelines - in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment - before they are finalised.
