Wind Energy Guidelines

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Questions (458, 459, 460, 461)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

458. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated Wind Energy Guidelines will be published.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48850/26]

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Claire Kerrane

Question:

459. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Ireland's planning framework for wind energy development will be brought fully into alignment with current European Union environmental obligations and jurisprudence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48851/26]

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Claire Kerrane

Question:

460. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans within the new guidelines for enhanced protections for peatlands, blanket bogs and other environmentally sensitive habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48852/26]

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Claire Kerrane

Question:

461. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans for the introduction of comprehensive cumulative impact assessment requirements for large-scale wind energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48853/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy James Browne)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 to 461, inclusive, together.

In line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of National Planning Statements in relation to onshore wind energy development, following a review of the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.

Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.

In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular, such as onshore wind energy development, there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and considerations such as noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

Further to this my Department, in conjunction with DCEE, which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement, which is highly technical in nature. As part of their work, which is now substantially complete. In the interim, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.

In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding wind energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.

All applications for wind energy development are subject to appropriate environmental assessment which includes the assessment of cumulative effects. With regards to peatlands and wind energy, the current Wind Energy Development Guidelines contain a section, Appendix 4 Best Practice for Wind Energy Development in Peatlands, which provides guidance to developers on this matter.

Questions Nos. 459 to 461, inclusive, answered with Question No. 458.