Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 1050: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the coming into effect of the Kyoto Protocol will result in an easing of restrictions on the building of wind farms and bio-gas plants. [10748/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Wind energy projects and bio-gas plants are considered development within the meaning of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2004 and consequently require planning permission from the planning authority where the developments are proposed. There is no intention to change planning requirements for such developments.

Guidelines for planning authorities on the development of wind energy projects were published in draft format for public consultation in August 2004. I intend publishing them in definitive form in the near future. The guidelines will encourage a plan-led approach to the development of our wind energy resources, and planning authorities should indicate, through their development plans, the appropriate locations for wind farms, having regard to such factors as visual impact and impact on the surrounding environment and landscape. The guidelines will replace the guidelines published in 1996.

Regarding bio-gas plants, the potential, inter alia, of anaerobic digestion to deliver multiple environmental benefits, including reduced water pollution potential, lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced odours from agricultural slurries, is recognised. It can also deliver positive outcomes for policy objectives with respect to global warming and renewable energy. Any such installations would, however, require to be controlled, as appropriate, under the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2003 or the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003, in accordance with the requirements of Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.