Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
409. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will put be an immediate moratorium on any wind turbine projects until updated wind energy regulations are established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5271/26]
View answerPlacing a moratorium on all wind energy developments is not being considered at present. The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of any revised guidance in this regard.
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.
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. 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.
At the local level, the city and county development plans set out where development is acceptable including wind energy development. The making of the local city or county development plan is a reserved function of the local authority members. It is open to members of the public to make an observation or submission on a draft city or county development plan. In addition, the planning consent system provides for public or community engagement in respect of any development which requires planning permission.
