Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will promulgate Government policy, including planning and all other considerations, with regard to the development of wind turbines. [21515/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. The Energy White Paper published last December sets out a high-level framework for Ireland’s energy transition to a low carbon system and society and identifies a range of measures and actions to support this aim. The clear focus of my Department is on implementing the range of actions set out in the White Paper to meet our energy and climate change targets through cost efficient policies. Among the commitments to achieve the energy transition are to:

- support community participation in renewable energy,

- provide funding and supports for community-led projects in the initial stages of development, planning and construction,

- develop a framework for agreeing how communities share in the benefits of substantial new energy infrastructure located in their area, and

- support the emerging energy cooperative movement as one means of facilitating community participation.

The authorisation of wind farms is a matter for the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála, as appropriate, and I have no function in the matter.

The Programme for Government commits to updating the Wind Energy Planning Development Guidelines within 3 to 6 months of the formation of Government, to ensure an appropriate balance between the concerns of local communities in relation to matters such as noise and shadow flicker and the need to invest in indigenous renewable energy projects for the purpose of assisting in the achievement of our EU renewable energy targets. In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, as the lead Department in this process, in consultation with my Department and within the timeframe, will bring to Government revised Wind Energy Planning Development Guidelines. The issues of community benefit and participation will be further considered and developed as part of this on-going process. 

My Department is currently finalising a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, which is to be underpinned by a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment.  The Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework is intended to provide guidance to citizens, industry, An Bord Pleanála, and other public authorities, for use in conjunction with the Wind Energy Development Guidelines. This work, along with a review of the Guidelines, will set a clear framework for the development of renewable energy infrastructure into the future.