John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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480. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to his reiteration of the previous Minister's position (details supplied), the way in which his Department has communicated this position to the local planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to allow them to continue to make timely determinations on planning applications for proposed solar PV developments using the planning policy and guidance that is in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33463/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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As stated previously, and as is the case with the large majority of development types, there are no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar farms. Proposals for individual solar farm developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments. Planning applications are made to the relevant local planning authority with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the Board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the local development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any relevant guidelines issued by my Department. Planning authorities must then make their own decisions based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications.

Therefore, it is inherent that the planning code facilitates the assessment of individual planning applications for solar farm developments, even in the absence of specific planning guidelines, and the necessity of advising planning authorities and the Board accordingly does not arise.

However, the issue of guidelines for solar farm developments will be kept under review, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, who has lead responsibility on renewable energy policy. In the event that is decided at a later stage that such guidelines may be required, my Department would consult further with planning authorities and the Board in that regard.