Ms Claragh Mulhern:

I can come in on that. Objectives 75 and 76 are effectively to be read in conjunction. Reflecting the discussion we had earlier with Senator Cummins on the tiered approach, the idea is that capacity allocations are first broken down on a regional basis in the NPF and that the regions would then break them down further in the RSESs for their constituent local authorities. That is where NPO 76 picks up the baton. Each local authority would then take that approach, working back up towards the overall national target.

There is one additional point to mention. While it is not specifically addressed in the NPF itself, there is also a need for further policy support to build on this objective and approach in the NPF. The intention is to do that through the wind energy development guidelines or a national planning statement. The NPF is a high-level strategic document. It would not be appropriate for all of the detail to be included in it. The clarity and further detail will come in the national planning statement. When you get to the local authority, the intention is to provide further clarity through the national planning statement as to how to approach identifying certain lands as regards their suitability for, for example, wind energy development. There will be a classification system for land based on areas that are acceptable and those that are less acceptable for various reasons. There is a methodology to be applied in doing that. We have been working with our colleagues in the Department of the environment on developing that methodology for both the regional assemblies and the local authorities, when it gets to that level of plan-making. This is all to reflect the plan-led approach we have been discussing with the committee over the course of the year in respect of the legislation. That will provide a much greater degree of clarity within the development plans as to the capacity within each local authority area for these types of renewable energy developments and what lands are considered to be appropriate. Local communities and those wishing to undertake renewable energy developments can then progress applications based on those plans.