Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the new guidelines on wind energy will be published. [2590/18]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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358. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on a suspension of new wind energy applications until such time as the new guidelines are published. [2591/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.

My Department is currently undertaking a focussed review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.  As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on 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, 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.  Following a tendering process, my Department appointed SEA consultants in December 2017 to assist in this regard.  It is expected that a public consultation on the revised draft Guidelines, together with the comprehensive environmental report, will be undertaken during the first quarter of this year, with the aim of issuing the finalised Guidelines - following detailed analysis and consideration of all of the submissions and views received during the consultation phase - during Q3 2018. 

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 (the Board) must have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.

In the meantime, the current Guidelines remain in force and continue to apply to existing planning applications which are with either the local planning authorities or the Board for determination.