Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I raise the planning guidelines for anaerobic digesters, ADs, and the regulations of these plants. I acknowledge the need for AD plants to reach our emission reduction targets and improve water quality, particularly in light of the conversation we will have today on the nitrates derogation. However, given the ambition for AD plants to be built across the country under the national biomethane strategy, I am concerned about the preparedness of our local authorities to process such complex planning permission applications. We need statutory planning guidelines for AD plants so that there is consistency across all local authorities. Planning staff also need to be trained as a matter of priority for these complex applications. Clear guidelines are needed on setback distances from homes, the ability of road networks to take increased volumes of HGV traffic and mandatory community engagement to advise local communities of the plans for these plants. In particular, plants looking for capital funding from the State must communicate with their local areas. We also need to look at the powers of the EPA to regulate these plants. As the plants continue to grow in numbers, so must the regulator's powers.

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