Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will quote a press release that the Taoiseach's Cabinet colleague, Deputy Coveney, issued on 13 June 2017 relating to wind energy guidelines:

I envisage following the completion of the SEA process, the new statutory Guidelines will be finalized and issue to planning authorities in Q1 2018

In the first quarter of 2018, every planning authority in the country was to have the new revised wind energy guidelines. Some 12 months on, there has been no further word to local authorities. Renewable energy is essential if we are going to address our climate change obligations. I realise that it is not the Government's top priority but it is an important issue. We must embrace it and address it but it must be done in a sustainable manner which does not impinge on our communities. Our communities want new, updated guidelines, which have been long overdue and promised. When can we see those guidelines implemented? In advance of the guidelines being implemented, is it possible that a moratorium will be put in place on any new applications until such a time as we have new, robust guidelines in place?

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