Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is it. I thank the committee for all the work it has done. Planning and environmental issues are something I am interested in as I have been in construction all my life. My question is on solar farms. Up to what kilowatt level would the Department consider a small solar farm development to be exempt from planning? The reason I ask is following Covid and the high rise in energy costs. Is there a certain square metreage or kilowatt level of solar farm that will be recommended to be exempt? At present, no matter what business you are in, if you decide you want to put up a 90 kW solar farm, you are guaranteed there will be an objection from an objection company from outside of the area that is objecting to all solar farms at the moment regardless of their size. Objections are coming in even if it is only to produce electricity for one building. Then the application has to go through the planning process. In terms of the sustainability of a small business or a hotel or leisure centre, what would be considered an adequate size that would be acceptable within the planning framework?