Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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935. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when revised regulations on the development of wind farms will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37992/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines were published in June 2006. They provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy through the development plan and development management processes. The guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and the treatment of planning applications for such developments.

My Department , in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and other stakeholders , is now undertaking a targeted review of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006 focusing on noise, proximity and shadow flicker . My Department issued a press notice in January 2013 inviting submissions from the public on this targeted review.

My colleague, t he nister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources recently commissioned the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to invite proposals from suitably qualified organisations for the completion of a desk study of peer reviewed studies and other documents that examine the significance of noise related to onshore wind farms. The objective of the study is to obtain evidence upon which to evaluate the appropriateness of the existing guidelines in relation to noise impacts and , if considered necessary , suggest changes. It will take account of the following key contextual issues: the evolution of wind turbine technologies since the current Guidelines were published in 2006; experience to date in the application of the current Guidelines; research relating to wind turbine noise issues since the current Guidelines were adopted; Ireland's binding targets in relation to renewable energy update and penetration.

This study will form a key input into the review of the statutory guidelines. The study is expected to be completed shortly , and this will allow for the preparation and publication of revised statutory guidelines in draft form. All statutory planning guidelines issue first in draft form for public consultation over a period of a couple of months. The indicative timetable for the publication of the draft guidelines is Quarter 1 201 4 . The draft guidelines will – like all other new or revised guidelines – be available for extensive public consultation for a period of 6 weeks to 2 months, to allow for publication of the final guidelines by mid- 2014. Once the consultation period is closed, the submissions received on the draft guidelines will be considered and taken into account in the final form of the guidelines.

In the meantime all applications for wind energy development must be rigorously assessed in the light of the detailed advice in the 2006 guidelines.