Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
728. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on wind energy guidelines; the reason for the delay to publications; the dates on which his officials consulted /met with the Department of Climate; Energy and the Environment to discuss them; the other departments which were consulted; and the dates on which these meetings took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10321/26]
View answerThe Planning and Development Act 2024 replaces Ministerial Guidelines, which had been prepared under Section 28 of the Act of 2000, with National Planning Statements, which 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. The Programme for Government commits to the preparation of a National Planning Statement on Wind Energy. In the interim, the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which remain in operation, whilst a review of the 2006 Guidelines has been undertaken to key policy issues such as noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, and 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. 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.
My Department works closely with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment on a range of matters pertaining to planning and the Government’s commitments to climate adaptation, the delivery of renewable energy and the protection of habitats. This includes a wide range of inter-departmental groups and taskforce groups hosted across both Departments and others, many of which have a technical or policy bearing on the preparation of the draft National Planning Statements. In this regard it is not possible to quantify the exact number of interactions that have taken place that relate to wind energy.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be carried out on the draft National Planning Statement and my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on the updated National Planning Statement as part of the SEA process, enabling all interested parties to 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 and this in turn will be subject to full Governmental approval, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered at each step of the process.
