Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
178. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his response to the recent Supreme Court judgement on the Coolglass Wind Farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27883/26]
View answerI note the recent judgment on the Coolglass Wind Farm Ltd case which was delivered by the Supreme Court of Ireland in February of this year.
The judgment provides useful clarification on the operation of Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended) and, in particular, how it interacts with the statutory planning framework. It clarifies that the legislative framework that underpins our climate ambition is robust and effective and it also provides confidence that the planning policy framework is one that is reflective of this ambition.
It is, however, a significant judgment and it is important that its full implications are carefully assessed. My Department, the Office of the Attorney General, and relevant Ministers, Government Departments and agencies (including those under my aegis) are currently considering the ruling in detail, including any broader planning and policy implications that may arise.
The Government is fully committed to delivering on Ireland’s climate ambition across all sectors, and to progressing climate action in a planned and coherent way, which ensures that affordability, competitiveness and energy security are central to our future climate planning.
