Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On community engagement, supplementary to the wind energy guidelines, there is a code of practice for wind energy development in Ireland and guidelines for community engagement. I am of the view that under the Aarhus Convention and public participation directive that engagement should take place at an early stage of any process or development of onshore or offshore. That is important. On the onshore guidelines, my understanding is that the updated guidelines will be published in quarter 3 of this year, as I understand it. I cannot give an indication about the offshore guidelines. It is contingent on quite a number of other factors, not just proximity to housing, that might be on the shoreline. These include, as the Deputy mentioned earlier, special protected areas for birds and marine protected areas, the legislation for which we will be publishing shortly. All of these are important considered factors that have to be taken account with regard to the location of offshore wind.

I will not comment further about the increasing size of turbines but all of this will be developed in the new guidelines that are due to be published. The Deputy is correct that it is important to strike a balance between listening to the concerns of local communities and taking on board their rights. That is hugely important. It has not always been the case in this country. It is important to do that. I assure the Deputy that the onshore guidelines will be published once the process is complete with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and our Department with regard to noise. I cannot give a date for the offshore guidelines but will revert to the Deputy with a possible timeline for the publication of that.

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