Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
465. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given that in 2015, the then-Minister committed that the Department would continue to liaise with the Department of Health regarding the potential health impacts of wind turbines, when the most recent dialogue took place; the outcomes; if no such dialogue has occurred, why not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13951/25]
View answerThe possible affect from wind turbine noise is the principal potential health impact most frequently attributed to wind energy developments. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters.
In this regard, my Department is working in conjunction with DECC, in the context of its environmental noise policy remit, to finalise the guidance on the noise aspect of the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines to ensure that the final Guidelines, once published, are robust and fit for purpose having regard to international best practice and standards. My Department has had no recent engagement with the Department of Health as part of this review process.
My Department held a public consultation on the revised Draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines in December 2019 and will be holding another public consultation on the updated draft Guidelines in due course, which will provide a further opportunity for the Department of Health or any other relevant stakeholders to provide input on potential health impacts from wind turbine noise.
