Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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452. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views regarding wind farms in Dublin Bay; if a foreshore licence is required; the terms of such a licence; the limits on noise pollution with regard to wind farms; the distance of wind farms from the coastline; the guidelines regarding the visual impact of wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25248/13]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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497. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to concerns surrounding the proposed development of an offshore windfarm off the Kish and Bray banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25891/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 497 together.

While there are no windfarm applications within Dublin Bay itself, Saorgus Energy Ltd lodged an application for a foreshore lease to develop a windfarm on the Kish and Bray Banks in 2009. These banks are approximately 10kms from the Dublin and Wicklow coasts. The company recently published an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in respect of the proposal, which is known as Dublin Array. A public consultation process is currently on-going. However, pending publication of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, this application will not be assessed by my Department or the Marine Licence Vetting Committee.

In order to construct a windfarm on the foreshore, consents from the Commission for Energy Regulation are also required, including a Licence to Generate Electricity and an Authorisation to Construct a Generating Station. Planning permission in respect of any land-based infrastructure associated with the development is also necessary. Foreshore lease terms for offshore wind projects address such matters as environmental standards, construction methodology, good management of the facility, fees payable as well as standard legal clauses regarding issues such as warranties, insurance and indemnities.

Issues such as noise and visual impact in respect of any specific proposed development are investigated in an applicant’s EIS and where applicable, Natura Impact Statement, which are made publicly available. My Department’s assessment of those aspects of a development will have regard to the information contained in the EIS, the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment as well as the best available advice from planning and environmental impact advisors.