Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Charles Flanagan, Stanley and Colreavy for raising this extremely important matter.

The Wind Energy Development Guidelines of 2006 provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy through the development plan process. They are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and in the treatment of the relevant planning applications.

To ensure that Ireland continues to meet its renewable energy targets and, at the same time, that wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and other stakeholders, is undertaking a targeted review of certain aspects of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006. This focused review will examine the manner in which the guidelines address key issues of community concern such as noise, proximity and visual amenity, and any other potential impacts as considered appropriate, as well as considering ways of building community support for wind energy development.

The press notice issued on 30 January marks only the initial stage in that review process. In response to Deputy Flanagan, it is essentially a pre-draft consultation intended to inform the preparation of the revised draft guidelines, and I emphasise the word "draft". This early consultation allows for the public and other stakeholders to have an input into the process at the earliest possible stage. The Environmental Protection Agency and Sustainable Energy Ireland will also be consulted.

All statutory planning guidelines issue first in draft form for public consultation over a period of a couple of months. Once the consultation period is closed, the submissions received on the draft guidelines are considered and taken into account in the final form of the guidelines. The draft guidelines, like all other new or revised guidelines, will go out for extensive public consultation for a period of six weeks to two months. The publication of those draft guidelines will not take place until the third or fourth quarter of this year, and the extended public consultation I am describing will then take place.

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