171. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has taken any steps to consider appropriate setback rules for anaerobic digestors similar to those in place for windfarms. [39211/24]

Firstly, as the deputy is aware, The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has responsibility for the overall development of national planning policy and legislation which includes the appropriate setback rules for Anaerobic Digestion facilities.

AD and other integrated assets are required to undergo a planning process to ensure proper consideration of a range of factors, including location, visual impact, land-zoning plans, and ecology. Guidelines and requirements for these are set out through several acts, policy documents, spatial strategies, and development plans. Projects above a certain threshold are also required to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment.

As committed to in the published National Biomethane Strategy, the Biomethane Implementation group is to develop guidelines to support local authorities when assessing AD and biorefinery planning applications.