John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to thank Deputies for their contributions on the proposed Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2014. The Government has listened carefully to what has been said during these debates. It is important, however, that I address some inaccuracies and misconceptions which have been aired during the course of this debate.

Deputies Stanley, Ferris and Moynihan have claimed that local communities are not being consulted in the formulation of wind energy development policy or in the consideration and development of wind farm proposals. I would like to re-emphasise that consultation with the public and local communities on the formulation of wind energy development policy is a major priority for this Government. The Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, outlined in detail the two public consultations in which her Department have engaged during the current review of the wind energy development guidelines. Last December she published draft revisions to the guidelines which proposed the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 dB for future wind energy developments, a mandatory minimum setback of 500 m between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations and the complete elimination of shadow flicker. Submissions were received from 7,500 organisations and members of the public in response to these draft proposals and they will form an important input into the final version of the guidelines which the Minister of State hopes to be in a position to publish by the third quarter of this year. In addition, the existing guidelines already emphasise the need for energy companies to engage in active consultation and dialogue with local communities at the earliest possible stage on proposed wind farm developments, and ideally prior to the submission of a planning application.

The Minister of State also outlined the extensive, three stage public consultation process that is currently being undertaken by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources as part of its preparation of a renewable energy policy and development framework, which will be underpinned by a strategic environmental assessment. I also understand that a Green Paper on energy policy will be published shortly by that Department and comments will be invited from the public. Accordingly, I do not think the Government can reasonably be accused of not consulting with the public or not allowing for the fullest public participation in its proposed renewable energy policies, including in the area of wind.

On section 2, I share the concerns expressed by Deputy Fleming about an effective ban on exports of wind energy to the UK. As demonstrated by the ongoing State visit of President Higgins to the UK, Irish relations with the UK, both politically and commercially, have never been as good. A trade ban would send out the wrong signals as we seek to continue the normalisation of relations between our two islands. Electricity interconnection arrangements are already in place between Ireland and the UK and it is important that we continue to work together to develop appropriate arrangements for security of energy supply. I welcome that Deputy Fleming and Fianna Fáil recognise the importance of developing a national policy on trade in renewable energy generally.

Deputy Stanley described the wind energy development guidelines as voluntary or suggestive. When the revised guidelines are finalised they will be jointly issued by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to planning authorities under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to the guidelines in the performance of their functions under the planning Acts. Ultimately, it will be a decision for the relevant local planning authorities or An Bord Pleanála to make decisions on individual planning applications for wind energy developments, having regard to the guidelines.

As the Minister of State indicated last night, the Government does not intend to oppose the Bill on Second Stage on the basis that the Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are currently reviewing some of the issues raised. The Government will need to consider the outcomes of the consultation processes on the wind energy development guidelines and the renewable energy policy and development framework as this Bill progresses. It is important that we do not pre-empt the outcome of these important reviews and public consultations.

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