Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 January 2013
41. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are regulations regarding the height of wind turbines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4676/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for developing planning policy and legislation. His Department’s primary role is to provide the essential legislative framework and policy guidance, while seeking to minimise the regulatory burden and cost of the system. That Department produces a range of guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Acts (as amended), designed to help planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, developers and the general public. The Department of Environment issued Guidelines on Wind Energy Development in 2006. In carrying out their forward planning and development management functions, planning authorities are required to have regard to guidelines issued by the Department. The Guidelines on Wind Energy Development available on the Department of Environment’s website (www.environ.ie) consider aspects of turbine height.
