281. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the effects on important habitats in the proposed Shannon wilderness park in County Longford of a plan to install a 24-turbine windfarm at the location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26931/19]

In February 2019 an application for the proposed Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) for a 24 turbine windfarm at Lanesborough, Co. Longford was referred to me in my role as a statutory consultee under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Heritage related observations on the proposal issued from my Department in March 2019 to An Bord Pleanála which is the consent authority for this application.

Any submissions made by prescribed bodies to planning authorities may be taken into consideration by the authority when making its determination on the application and I have no role in this regard, nor can I comment on ongoing planning applications.