I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. In line with the “preferred draft approach”, the review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with DECC which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, is currently advancing guidance on the noise aspect of Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. Both Departments are engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
In this connection, DECC has appointed noise consultants to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. My Department is engaging with DECC and the noise consultants with a view to moving this aspect of the review forward. My Department, in conjunction with DECC, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work, with a view to bringing the review of the Guidelines to a conclusion.
It should be noted that Action EL/23/4 of the Climate Action Plan 2023 Annex of Actions contains a commitment to having new draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines prepared by the end of Q4 2023, with revised Guidelines to be published in 2024. My Department is working on the finalisation and publication of the revised Guidelines in line with this commitment.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), or subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
Supplementary to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Code of Practice for Wind Energy Development in Ireland - Guidelines for Community Engagement published by
the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) sets out to ensure that wind energy development in Ireland is undertaken in observance with the best industry practices, and with the full engagement of communities around the country. The inclusion of AA1000 and OECD Standards or any review of the Code of the Practice would be a matter for DECC to consider.
In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or the Board as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies as well as any guidelines issued by my Department.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case in which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
