Mr. Mark Griffin:

I understand. We have been trying to reach a resolution on this matter for a long time. It is a commitment of the programme for Government in 2016. In June of last year, we agreed and published a new approach in terms of wind energy development. This involves a more stringent noise limit consistent with World Health Organization standards and a more robust noise monitoring regime to ensure compliance with the standards. We will move from a guideline setback distance of 500 m to a visual amenity setback of four times the turbine height between a wind turbine and the nearest residential property, subject to a mandatory minimum. This is a move from a guideline to a mandatory requirement. It also involves the elimination of shadow flicker and the introduction of new obligations in regard to engagement with local communities on the provision of community benefit. The hard part was getting to a point where we believed we had a suite of measures in place that would address the concerns that local communities expressed around shadow flicker, noise and setback and amenity impact. While this work was ongoing, a European Court of Justice decision issued stating that a strategic environmental assessment, SEA, would be required for the amendments to the 2006 guidelines. We had not anticipated that an SEA would be required but we expect this work to be completed in 2019 and the new guidelines will be in place at that point.

I assure the Deputy that there was no conspiracy on the part of the Department or the Minister. There are many matters about which the Minister expresses frustration to officials in the Department. This is one he comes back to time and again because he struggles to understand why it is taking so long to finalise. As I said, we now have agreed guidelines that we believe will work and allay the concerns of local communities. The commitment to the model exists. The next step is to complete the SEA process, which is being conducted by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. That Department, which has responsibility for the wind energy guidelines, is moving that process through the system as quickly as possible. The advantage of an SEA process is that it will give the public a further opportunity for input. I appreciate and fully accept the Deputy's frustration. We know it is an issue for local communities throughout the country. I reiterate that there is no attempt on our part to make this process any longer or any more onerous that it has been thus far.

On the transition in regard to Lough Ree, west Offaly and Edenderry, I know from conversations with the chairman and the CEO of Bord na Móna that they are working to find a model for the company that will work post 2030 and, as mentioned by the Deputy, takes account of the fact that there are people who drive a truck who do not necessarily want and are not in a position to be retrained. A huge amount of work has been already done. I am not clear where Bord na Móna is at in terms of its internal processes. I do not know if the board or staff have been briefed. In terms of just transition, this is an area that is deeply affected.

In terms of the economic development of the midlands, the company is important to the region. It is a clear example of an organisation that is thinking hard about the effect of a just transition, whether it can expand further into those sectors in which it is currently involved that are not peat or carbon related, and what new initiatives it can pursue using existing natural resources.