Renewable Energy Generation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017

Thursday, 13 July 2017

Questions (1034)

Catherine Martin

Question:

1034. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the provisions in place and the further provisions anticipated regarding wind energy and solar energy developments to ensure that where such developments are sited on peatlands, including degraded peatlands, they form part of a strategy to minimise total carbon emissions from the relevant peatlands, noting that in the absence of action to ensure this is done, the degraded peatlands could emit more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than the renewable energy development would save. [34826/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Decisions regarding the location of renewable energy developments are a commercial decision for developers, subject to the planning system.  I, as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, have no function in these decisions.   

In assessing any proposed development, it is a matter for the planning authorities, taking account of Government policy, national and EU legislation, to assess the likely impacts of proposed developments on the environment.