Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The preferred draft guidelines go a long way towards addressing community concerns, but they are a draft and must go through the SEA process. That is now taking place and I cannot move it any more quickly. It is an important process. If we want new guidelines, that is the process they have to go through. At the end of quarter 2, we will have draft guidelines and at that stage anyone making an application for a wind farm will probably reflect them in any proposal. The Deputy is correct, however, that until they become part of planning law, applications will be judged according to the old guidelines. The new guidelines will achieve what the Deputy and most other Members want, which is a balance wherein community concerns are dealt with. While it has taken time for the two Departments to agree on guidelines on behalf of the people on foot of the responsibility of Government to balance the issues involved, the draft guidelines are a step in the right direction and will solve the problem when published. It is important to go through the process, however, or the guidelines will not stand up.

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