Wind turbine and monuments legislation
Sean Fleming asks about legislation implementing wind-turbine planning guidelines and protections for national monuments. The Tánaiste says the monuments Bill is due next year and that wind-turbine guidelines are undergoing public consultation.
Could we get back to dealing with matters which can be raised on the Order of Business? I do not like telling people to stay quiet all the time but they should stick to the rules and then we can get on with it. I call Deputy Fleming and hope he is within the rules.
Comment on this
In view of the call by many members of both Government parties to give legislative effect to the planning rules for wind turbines and the document issued by the Minister, is there a timescale for legislation to give effect to those guidelines for wind turbines? There has been much comment about proposals by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in regard to renting national monuments to private interests. A monuments Bill is scheduled to deal with the protection and regulation of our national archaeological heritage. Will this legislation include protocols to deal with renting these premises to the private sector?
Comment on this
The monuments Bill is due next year. In regard to wind turbines, the Minister of State with responsibility for housing and planning has draft planning guidelines on that matter and is inviting submissions on them. She is very willing to consider the submissions made to her on the matter. She wants a very open and full public consultation on this issue because she is very aware of the concerns many communities have about this issue.