Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when his Department will issue new guidelines on the way in which offshore windfarms should be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48946/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently drafting Marine Planning Guidelines for Offshore Wind Energy under section 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide clarity and advice on the assessment process to statutory planning authorities for planning applications for offshore wind energy.

Within the context of the plan-led marine spatial planning system and requirements in respect of environmental assessment, public consultation and compliance with planning policy, the guidelines will ensure a robust assessment process.

The guidelines will also assist project developers who intend submitting planning applications for offshore wind development to planning authorities, in addition to providing planning information to prescribed bodies, interested marine stakeholders and members of the public.

Ensuring Ireland realises its potential in terms of offshore wind energy development is dependent upon modernisation across the planning system. In Autumn 2024 work led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) culminated in the enactment of a new Planning and Development Act, 2024. This includes important changes to the planning permission and environmental assessment provisions that will shape statutory guidance related to planning matters. Work is underway to commence these provisions in line with the published Implementation Plan (available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/implementation-plan-for-the-planning-and-development-act-2024/).

In the context of these changes and the need to ensure continuity in relation to the basis of decision making for offshore wind proposals currently being considered by An Coimisiún Pleanála it is vital that the guidelines are developed in the right way and introduced at the right time. My Department continues to work closely with key stakeholders to finalise a draft of the guidelines for public consultation as soon as possible.