Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The position on those guidelines is that they are issued by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. I understand the consultation was delayed because of new provisions relating to noise, which were required to be incorporated into them. I understand also that the Department will shortly enter into consultation on those onshore wind guidelines.

In respect of offshore wind, there is work to develop new legislation in the area of foreshore. In the context of the type of wind energy that will come onto the grid, it is intended that there will be a renewable energy support scheme run by way of auction. That will be technology neutral so that all forms of renewable energy can compete for the opportunity to supply the grid.

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