Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are guidelines in place. Admittedly, they are in place since 2006 and require updating. There has been a discussion between the two Departments on what change would be appropriate. I have made it clear that we can and should change the guidelines to deal with issues such as noise and shadow flicker. It is hard to justify a set-back distance that is not linked to the issues of noise and shadow flicker, in other words just set-back distance simpliciter. We had a consultation process which addressed the issue of set back, but it was in the context of noise and shadow flicker. I believe we can do something real on noise that will allay many concerns on the issues of noise, noise restrictions and shadow flicker.

I have been open about this. People say that Ministers and Departments disagree. Yes, there are different perspectives. I am in charge of energy policy and I must be clear about the changes that some people are proposing, and I do not mean the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly. The changes others have proposed would radically alter the prospects for onshore wind and in some cases the proposals would wipe it out. I would not be doing the job I am paid to do if I did not make those points clear.