Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
183. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the ongoing work in his Department to update the national planning statement on wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/26]
View answer196. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when updated wind farm regulations will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/26]
View answer254. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on preparations to devise new wind energy guidelines for planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4953/26]
View answer255. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the development of revised planning guidelines for wind turbines. [1805/26]
View answer389. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the updated guidelines will be incorporated into the forthcoming National Planning Statement; if he will specify when that statement is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73124/25]
View answer391. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of when the regulations/guidelines for large wind turbines will be published; if the guidelines will include noise regulations that are compatible with the World Health Organization standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72815/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183, 196, 254, 255, 389 and 391 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines which will inform a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. 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.
Chapters 1 through 4 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, came into effect on October 2, 2025, providing the statutory basis for the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, and introduces provisions for National Planning Statements. These National Planning Statements replace Ministerial guidelines, often referred to as s.28 of the Act of 2000. These are subject to environmental screening and assessment and where appropriate, stakeholder and public consultation and require approval by Government such is the central importance of planning matters to delivery of objectives across a wide range of areas.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Climate, Environment, and Energy (DCEE) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement, formerly known as the revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. As part of their work, which is now substantially complete, the noise consultants have assessed the impact of human health from turbine noise having regard to international best practice and standards, including the current World Health Organisation (WHO) standards on noise.
In addition to work on the noise aspects of the National Planning Statement, the evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024 and the revision of the National Planning Framework reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft National Planning Statement as part of the review process. In this regard, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on updated draft Guidelines as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft National Planning Statement. Finalised National Planning Statements will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
My Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of the National Planning Statement having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
