Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
163. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48370/22]
View answerEarlier this year, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, (DHLGH) in consultation with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, completed a review of the solar panel planning exemptions set out in the Planning and Development Regulations, with a particular focus on facilitating increased self-generation of electricity. Included as part of this review is a recommendation to fully remove the maximum limit on the size of a solar panel installation and therefore to exempt from planning permission, the placing or erection on a roof of a house, of a solar PV or a solar thermal collector installation, subject to necessary conditions and limitations. Draft regulations were published for public consultation on 15th June 2022. The consultation closed on 13th July. The draft regulations are available at gov.ie - Public Consultation on the Draft Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 3) Regulations 2022 and the Draft Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022- Solar Exemptions (www.gov.ie). As required under planning legislation, the proposed exempted development regulations must be laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas and receive a positive resolution from both Houses before they can be made and the process concluded. This process took place on the 4th October and it is expected that the regulations will be signed by the Minister imminently.
