Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
742. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to open the public consultation process for the draft wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42339/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy predecessor as Minister, in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, announced an emerging, "preferred draft approach", to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in June 2017. A copy of the announcement is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/wind-energy/coveney-and-naughten-announce-key-development-review-wind-energy-development-guidelines.
As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment, SEA, will be undertaken on the, "proposed draft approach", to the revised Guidelines before they come into effect. This is in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, the SEA Directive. The SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes, which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process. It is envisaged that the public consultation as part of the SEA process will be undertaken in early 2018.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála, must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.
