Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
202. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 26 February 2025, if he will provide information in relation to reports on wind turbine noise (details supplied). [13953/25]
View answerThe European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S. I. No 549 of 2018) transpose EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Directive aims to provide a common framework to avoid, prevent or reduce, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects of exposure to environmental noise. The Environmental Noise Directive (END) is specific in its definition, considering environmental noise as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activity, such as noise emitted by different means of transport — road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic — and industrial activity. Therefore, noise in workplaces, noise from domestic activities, noise from neighbours or recreational venues, noise from wind turbines, or noise caused by military activities is not considered under the END.
The assessment of noise impacts of proposed wind energy development is currently provided for in statutory planning guidelines, the current applicable guidelines being the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, 2006. All planning guidelines are prepared under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). I am advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. 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 will continue to assist, as required, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which has responsibility for reviewing the Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
I am advised that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not commissioned any wind turbine modelling reports. Further, I understand that the only report SEAI has published specifically on the subject of Wind Turbine Noise is “EXAMINATION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NOISE IN RELATION TO ONSHORE WIND FARMS” provided by Marshall Day Acoustics on 29 November 2013 www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Examination-of-the-Significance-of-Noise-in-Relation-to-Onshore-Wind-Farms.pdf
