Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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407. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the basis and reasons for classifying electricity export projects as strategic infrastructural developments, so as to allow them to proceed directly to An Bord Pleanála rather then to the local authority of the jurisdictional areas; if same will now be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42336/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Strategic infrastructure developments are those projects deemed to be of strategic economic or social importance to the State. The development of renewables, including wind energy, is at the heart of the Government's energy policy. The availability of indigenous, sustainable power is a valuable national asset and is vital for achieving energy security, emissions reductions and economic renewal through job creation.

The Seventh Schedule of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) categorises any installation for the harnessing of wind power for energy production with more than 25 turbines or having a total output greater than 50 megawatts as strategic infrastructure. This applies to all wind energy infrastructure in this category and not just projects involving electricity export. It is not currently proposed to review these legislative requirements.