Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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414. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the expected publication of the revised wind energy development guidelines considering the very significant number of applications being submitted throughout the country at the moment; the reason for the significant delay in publishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55299/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

Guidance on the noise aspect is currently being finalised by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters. Officials from the two Departments are engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources. Further to a meeting between officials of both Departments on 14 October 2022, this matter is currently being considered by DECC and further inputs are expected shortly. Following this, my Department will be in a better position to provide an update on the expected publication date of the revised Guidelines, the finalisation of which remains a priority.

It should also be noted that the review and finalisation of the Guidelines has been included as an action in the recently published Climate Action Plan, with a Q2 2023 delivery date target.