Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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247. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the policy of the National Parks and Wildlife Service regarding planning applications for wind farms in highly scenic protected areas which also provide habitats for protected species (details supplied); if the NPWS has a policy of objecting to such planning applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2910/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Planning and Development Regulations, planning applications lodged with planning authorities that have the potential to impact on the built or natural heritage must be referred to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and I may make observations and recommendations to a planning authority on such applications. This includes, based on available scientific and ecological information, observations on the potential impact of an application on a special area of conservation or special protection area.

While a recommendation to refuse planning permission may be made to a planning authority, the number of such cases is limited.

I can confirm I have made observations and recommendations in relation to nature conservation to the relevant planning authority in regard to the application referred to in the Deputy’s Question.