Wind energy guidelines
Deputy Kerrane asked when long-promised updated wind energy guidelines would finally be published, noting rural communities were still fighting repeated planning applications. The Minister said he understood the commitment and expected the new Minister to publish them as soon as possible.
The current wind energy guidelines are now 19 years old. Last year, the Taoiseach promised that the new updated guidelines would be published by the end of 2024 but the date is now quarter 1 of 2025. At the same time, rural communities are being forced to battle with large companies, sometimes after repeated planning permissions are submitted. We have a particular issue in south Roscommon and north Galway. Some rural communities are banding together to try to gather money and, in some cases, are ending up in court. We need to see updated wind energy guidelines. Will the date of quarter 1 of 2025 be the actual date on which we will see the updated guidelines?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I know that is the commitment with regard to the publication of these important guidelines. I am not aware if there is any reason why that deadline will not be met but I also know there is a new Minister in that Department, and I am sure the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will want to consider this issue carefully. I am sure he will want to publish them as soon as possible and having the Deputy raise this in the House today will only add to his awareness of it as an important matter. I am sure it will happen soon. I will make sure that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is aware that Deputy Kerrane has raised the matter.