Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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226. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current planning restrictions surrounding hydro generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10496/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The development of hydro generation requires planning permission from the relevant planning authority in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Acts, having due regard to other relevant legal frameworks and guidelines. The principal legislation governing the protection of fish in the development of hydro generation is set out in Part 8, Chapter 5 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, as amended. Consideration must also be given to the protection of fisheries afforded by the Water Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive and other relevant EU legislation. Finally, my Department and the then Fisheries Boards (now Inland Fisheries Ireland) released a report in October 2007 entitled "Guidelines on the Construction and Operation of Small Scale Hydro Electric Schemes and Fisheries" which can be downloaded from the Inland Fisheries Ireland website at .