Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2026
582. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the guidance that has been issued to local authorities for the processing of planning applications for solar farms in the absence of a national policy statement; the way in which his Department is ensuring that a consistency of approach to such applications is being adopted across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21585/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra656. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made towards the achievement of a government policy document on the development of windfarms and solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23120/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 656 together.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, 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 (NPSs) 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 NPSs in relation to wind and solar energy developments, following the conclusion of 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 the 2nd of 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
With regard to wind energy development, a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines is underway as part of the development a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The National Planning Statement will address key matters including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department is engaging with DCEE, as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy, towards concluding a draft of the National Planning Statement, having regard to the revision of the National Planning Framework and the Planning and Development Act 2024, both of which reflect the incorporation of renewable energy considerations into the planning system. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
With regard to solar energy development, my Department is currently engaging with DCEE, as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy, on a scoping exercise, which remains at an early stage, to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and battery storage facilities. In the interim, the existing planning policy and legislative framework provides for the submission and assessment of applications for solar energy development, in a manner which balances the need to meet our renewable electricity requirements with the perspectives of local communities and stakeholder engagement.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment, with associated public consultation, will likely be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding either solar or wind energy development.
