Wind energy guidelines
Deputy Stanley criticised the long delay in updating wind farm guidelines, especially on setbacks, shadow flicker and noise, and pressed for a date. The Tánaiste said work was ongoing but the guidelines were still needed; Stanley urged publication before Christmas.
There is a commitment in the programme for Government to prioritise new wind farm guidelines. Wind is important and it is important we are able to utilise it as part of the solution to moving to cleaner energy. Last week I got a reply to a parliamentary question on it. The reply from the Minister stated that the 2006 guidelines remain in force and that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently undertaking a focus review of the 2006 wind energy guidelines and engaging on all aspects of it with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. That is the same reply I got 12 years ago. This is not good enough. Why is there no movement on it? Is it deliberate? Many people are coming to the conclusion that this is deliberate in order to allow the large investors and large corporations to be able to put these in, particularly in the midlands, and then bring in perhaps weak guidelines after that. It is a case of bolting the door when the horse has gone. Meanwhile, and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will attest to this, huge wind turbines are planned in south and north Laois and north Kilkenny, without any proper guidelines, never mind regulations. There are no community obligations-----
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-----no proper set-back distances from homes and no protection from shadow flicker and noise. Residents feel powerless and very frustrated by this-----
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-----and it is disgraceful. I will conclude on this. Every one of the past four Governments promised to do this. Who is putting the brakes on it? I have a Bill before the House, if the Tánaiste wants to support that-----
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-----or if he wants to bring in his own guidelines, that is fine. When will we finally have up-to-date wind guidelines that are fit for purpose with these huge, almost 600 ft. turbines?
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I am a bit frustrated by this myself as I am often asked this question and I have to give the same answer. The Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins, has responsibility for this and is doing very good work on it. I am very grateful to him for that. We need to see these guidelines. I have to be honest that when we see the guidelines not everyone will be delighted with them, I am sure, but we still need to provide a degree of clarity as to what the planning landscape looks like from a guidelines point of view in terms of renewable energy. Deputy Catherine Callaghan raised this matter with me recently in relation to her constituency. The Minister of State has told me that the guidelines are forthcoming in the next months. I will ask him to keep the House updated. I am sure he will be happy to engage with Deputies who have an interest in this issue. The new Planning and Development Act outlines quite a bit of work to be done on noise. There will be a chance for people to have input on the final draft guidelines. I will ask the Minister of State to write to the Deputy directly and expedite this as quickly as possible.
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It would be great if it was before Christmas.