Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2013
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of approvals including planning permission granted or pending in respect of wind farms in County Kildare to date; the legislative basis including guidelines, regulations or statutory instruments applicable in such cases or in the event of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45541/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate the specific statistical data requested. The Wind Energy Guidelines 2006, issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, are in place to ensure that all proposed wind energy developments are subjected to careful scrutiny by the relevant planning authority. They provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy through the development plan and development management processes. The guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and the treatment of planning applications for such developments. They require both planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to them in the performance of their functions.
My Department is currently undertaking a targeted review of these guidelines focusing on noise, proximity and shadow flicker. The indicative timetable for the publication of the draft revised guidelines is Quarter 4 2013. The draft guidelines will – like all other new or revised guidelines – go out for extensive public consultation for a period of 6 weeks to 2 months, to allow for publication of the final guidelines in 2014.
