John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Connor for raising this important issue, as I know he has done on many occasions in this Chamber. It gives me the opportunity to update Members on the development of solar farms on agricultural lands in Cork and across the country.

I highlight first that the recently published Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future reaffirms Ireland's ambitious target of having 8 GW of solar capacity connected to the grid by 2030 to meet the requirement of 80% of electricity demand supplied by renewables. Solar energy is a growing source of electricity, with circa 1.5 GW of solar photovoltaic, PV, capacity currently installed. Further solar capacity will be required and that will involve a combination of the micro generation the Deputy spoke of and larger projects.

The programme for Government has committed to a land use review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The second phase of the land use review, which is under way, will seek to identify the key demands on land, both public and private, to inform policies for land use across key Government objectives, including socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water and air quality outcomes.

From a planning perspective, the programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments. In light of this commitment, my Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of these guidelines, including the possible timeframe for publication. It is important to say that any future guidelines will contain a process for public participation where all views can be taken on board, including Deputy O'Connor's. Until the planning guidelines for solar energy developments are finalised, there are no specific planning guidelines currently in place that deal with solar energy development, as is the case for most types of development. Proposals for individual solar energy developments, including on greenfield sites, are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local authority in the first instance. In making a decision on a planning application for a solar energy development, a planning authority must consider the specific merits or otherwise of the application, in line with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to, among other matters, the provisions of the development plan including any zoning objectives; any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees; and any relevant ministerial or government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.

With respect to the regulation of solar energy developments more generally, planning plays an important role from both a policy and legislative perspective. From a policy perspective, the national planning framework, NPF, sets the long-term strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to 2040 and informs the hierarchy of plans that cascade to regional and local levels. The draft revised NPF, which was passed by Cabinet yesterday, includes enhanced policy support for renewable energy development, including, in particular, the introduction of regional renewable electricity capacity allocations for solar development to achieve the national targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2024.

From a planning legislation perspective, the Planning and Development Act, which was signed into law last year, will deliver a range of measures to enhance the existing legislative framework. As I said, we are in the early stages of developing guidelines for solar developments. I take on board the concerns that the Deputy is raising and look forward to following up with him.

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