Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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2252. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 30 May 2017, if every effort will be made to speed up the process of bringing forward guidelines to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28812/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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My predecessor as Minister, in conjunction with Mr. Denis Naughten T.D., the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, recently announced a "preferred draft approach" to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, focusing on noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, engagement with local communities, community dividend and grid connections.

A copy of the announcement is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

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As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) will be undertaken on the "proposed draft approach" to the revised Guidelines before they come into effect. This is in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive.  SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.

It is envisaged that the SEA process will take approximately 9 months, including tendering for the appointment of SEA consultants and a public consultation period.  In light of the SEA requirements, it is expected that the Guidelines will not be finalised and come into effect until Q1 2018.  In the meantime, the current Guidelines remain in force.

When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.  Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.