Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
161. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the drafting and publication of revised wind farm guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15427/26]
View answerMy 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.
National Planning Statements replace Ministerial guidelines, often referred to as section 28 of the Act of 2000 and are subject to environmental screening and assessment 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 draft National Planning Statement, which is highly technical in nature. This work is now substantially complete. 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 National Planning Statement, once issued, is fit for purpose.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be 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 the updated draft NPS 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.
