James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I certainly hear the Deputy's concerns. Any proposals forthcoming from the Government will be subject to public consultation and consultation with stakeholders, very much including the agricultural community and rural villages. However, in the absence of national planning statements, it falls back to the first principles of planning law, including the relevant Acts, but also the county development plans as set out by the 31 local authorities. At a local level, the city or county development plan sets out where solar energy development is accessible. The making of the city or county development plan is a reserved function of the local authority members. In terms of the setting out of the county development plan by Cork County Council, it is in the council's remit to assess, decide and set out where solar energy can go. Councillors being able to make that decision, effective at the closest point to local people, is an important power.

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