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Bill and for the development of Government proposals before the end of 2026, specifically the finalisation of the national planning statement on wind energy. I thank Deputy Stanley for bringing forward this Private Members’ Bill regarding the regulation of wind turbines. He spoke with passion and a real … depth of understanding of the topic itself. This Bill is no doubt well intended and aims to regulate wind energy development by addressing a number of key issues. However, I am this evening proposing a timing amendment as I believe that many of the matters raised in this

Government is confident that, while the review is being finalised and the planning system is capable of assessing applications for wind for wind energy development, connection proposals for wind energy development are subject to the same statutory requirements as other forms of proposed development. In making decisions … planning applications for any type of development, including wind energy development, any planning authority or board, as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The 2006 wind energy guidelines remain in force and planning authorities and the board must have regard to these

renewable energy is something that we could see being implemented very quickly now. One of the issues with the renewable energy system, particularly wind energy, relates to surplus wind energy that happens at night. When energy is not able to be used by the grid, it is effectively … tanks of many people across the country. It could be charging electric car batteries and so on. Having a national strategy for surplus wind energy is really key. I urge the Government to consider my Bill and to put every effort into bringing forward a strategy in this

same. The most recent one I got from the Minister stated that his "Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines", which is looking at a number of key issues including the noise aspect of the guidelines, which is highly technical … media reaction. It is the people who elect us, not the media and they are who we need to represent. The Irish Wind Energy Association, which represents wealthy investors, has done an excellent job. The association is regularly in and out of these buildings. The propaganda

things is that given the number of wind turbines that have been pushed through planning at the moment, it is not about wind energy. Cian Murtagh is a lecturer in Sligo and he has looked at Ireland’s energy mix. For the month of October, we paid … costs and over €300 million in the last three months, taking money from every household to give to people who are profiting from wind energy. This is a business case in terms of what people are doing. They are flooding the market with these now. How many

costs five cent to boil a kettle. I am not here for sound bites; I am here for actual engineering being put down. Wind energy must be part of our future, that is clear. In that context, however, local communities cannot be an afterthought. I commend Deputy Stanley … capability of generating so much energy on our little island. Deputy Fleming mentioned the sale of energy to France. Solar farms and wind energy facilities - and I have heard other Deputies mention this - are turning off their renewable projects because the grid cannot take the energy. When representatives

propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 39, 85, 532 and 533 together. My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines which will inform a new national planning statement on wind energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The review … regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF. The current 2006 wind energy development guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of that review

start, I commend Deputy Stanley for bringing forward this Bill and the huge work that has gone into it so far. The current wind energy guidelines date back to 2006 and in my view, they are, put simply, not fit for purpose. In 2006, wind turbines were … just after being launched. There was no such thing as Instagram, WhatsApp or TikTok. Technological advancements have rocketed in this time but the wind energy guidelines have stayed static and have not evolved. We cannot lose sight, or ever forget, that communities are at the heart of this

view but also because of the fact that habitats, flora and fauna will also be considerably destroyed. The fact that the 2006 wind energy guidelines remain in force pending finalisation of the review, which has been ongoing since 2016, is nothing short of farcical and, indeed, borderline contemptuous … communities which have clearly expressed the gross inadequacies of the current regulatory regime. This is why I recently called again for all wind energy and wind turbine developments to be halted until the guidelines are produced. As I said, why are we just letting these companies trample over

outset, I am not against wind energy. I am against the health implications of wind energy. Will the Minister acknowledge that the High Court has now ruled in multiple cases that wind turbine noise can constitute a nuisance, even where developments are compliant with planning conditions, and confirm

questions are simple and I need the best answers possible. I need to know when my constituents can expect the wind energy guidelines to be finally updated to reflect the modern reality. I am talking about setback distances. I am talking about noise management. I am talking about … reassuring communities that wind energy can be done in a responsible and plan-led way. Does the Government plan to introduce robust solar energy guidelines to stop what is currently haphazard sprawl? We want to do our bit, but we in Galway East cannot be sacrificed

clear rules mentioned so many times by other speakers. A vacuum has been created by its complete dereliction of its duties on wind energy guidelines. As the current guidelines are from 2006, they are nearly 20 years old and in 2013, it was recognised that they were … produced but where are they now? They are still sitting on a shelf gathering dust. This is unacceptable to communities that deserve clarity. Wind energy providers also deserve certainty and guidelines to level the playing field. Without them, we have ambiguity, frustration, distrust and division. The Government

capita and we are a European leader for the integration of variable renewable electricity on the national grid. Meeting our national targets for wind energy will require further integration of renewable technologies in proximity to communities. This has to be done in an appropriate manner in full consultation … with those communities. Important related work is progressing, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to review the existing wind energy development guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid

back to 2006. The Minister will announce a national planning statement, which will take all of this on board, particularly in terms of wind energy guidelines. It will look at all those issues such as setback distance, noise, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections, because … grid connection is equally important, and a greater consistency of approach to planning for wind energy development and clarity to the industry and to local communities in particular. The technical context changes and technology has advanced hugely. The finalised national planning statement will be informed by the most

Department of climate working with the Department of housing on the delivery of updated wind energy guidelines? I would be grateful for an update on same. Is there any anticipated timeline for when we can expected updated wind energy guidelines? It is of huge concern to the people

involved in the planning applications of the ones that exist. They are ignoring the health implications. Again, I am not against wind energy. I am against locations that are causing health implications for people living in those areas. People are entitled to their own health in their … residence. All they are asking for is to have their health protected. We are not against wind energy but we are against locations where they are causing health implications for people

constituency, and particularly in the north Galway area, we are facing a tsunami of wind energy developments. These are in communities such as Killimordaly, Clonberne, Barnaderg, Shancloon and Laurclavagh to name but a few, and there would be in excess of 150 turbines if all of the various … north County Galway would be totally unrecognisable if this were allowed to happen. These are turbines that are 185 m high. The 2006 wind energy guidelines were brought forward when turbines were a fraction of that size. They are totally out of date and do not protect communities

Approximately 33% of our electricity comes through onshore wind energy. There are significant wind farm developments across the country, many of which do not cause any difficulty for any communities. The same goes with solar. I have visited many of them as well. People need clean, green renewable

called renewable energy for our grid. I am not at all convinced that the economic, environmental or infrastructural arguments relating to wind energy, for example, are as credible as people think, and I am extremely concerned about the lack of protections for many communities throughout the State … livestock having to be moved when a wind farm went into north Offaly. That is not fair. We need a balance between communities and corporate entities. I will end on electricity prices. As I have stated here previously, giving energy credits, which were welcomed by many struggling households

Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department is liaising with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the new draft wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59827/25

better sustainable farming methods for the farming community and for the retrofitting programme, which has been quite extensive. To give an example, onshore wind energy provided 48% of Ireland's power last February. Last January, Ireland reached the important milestone of hitting 5 GW of installed onshore wind

important to be absolutely clear that a wind farm is no small undertaking. These are vast developments that have an enormous impact on communities and the local environment from the moment construction begins throughout their entire lifetime up to the day they are decommissioned. It is beyond … investors who have little to no regard for our local communities. We are committed to putting communities at the very core of developing wind energy in Ireland, and to ensuring that this area is properly regulated, not left to those seeking profit at any cost. One recent proposed

year, we are providing €558 million through the carbon tax receipts to put that directly into homes and small businesses to reduce their energy costs. The IEA has said it, not me, that those cost savings are between €900 and €1,200 on average per annum. Permanent changes … Last year, over 40% of our electricity was generated through renewables. We have had a further successful auction in relation to solar and wind energy and we are within grasp of becoming energy sovereign in the next ten years. That will be critical to reducing our dependence

People are being crippled here. The Government knows this. Homeowners and small businesses are being absolutely crippled with electricity costs. We know that wind energy plays a critical role in reducing those costs. It is important the amendments to this legislation put forward by Sinn Féin are taken … company that charged the bills. We handed it over and wrecked the model we had. What is worse is that the wind turbines we have put all across the country are not feeding into the grid. We are not getting the full benefit of them to reduce costs

time, there is now a housing Commissioner at EU level, which the Minister is well-aware of, in Dan Jørgensen, the Commissioner for energy and housing. A key priority is to ensure we can see reform of state aid rules in order that homes can be built … also see a new green industrial revolution and the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs through the roll-out of wind energy and solar power through emerging technologies. I welcome the appointment of a socialist commissioner, Teresa Ribera, who is now the Commissioner for a Clean

plan for the Accelerated Renewable Electricity Taskforce (ARET), and instead based the National Territory Renewable Energy Mapping policy on outdated County Development Plan wind energy maps; and the reasons for this change in approach. [60457/25

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of Ireland’s offshore wind energy projects, particularly the 5 GW target for 2030; the measures being taken to expedite planning, consenting, and grid connection processes to meet this goal; and if he will

Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department is liaising with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the new draft wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59827/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to implement new draft wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65419/25

regarding the increasing scale of turbine proposals, particularly turbines exceeding traditional height thresholds, are being considered as part of the ongoing review of wind energy planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65792/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to implement new draft wind energy guidelines;and if he will make a statement on the matter.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60285/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to implement new draft wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60322/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated wind energy guidelines will be published; the reasons for the prolonged and ongoing delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64278/25

Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken by his Department to implement a coordinated, multi-port development strategy for offshore wind energy; if he will provide details of the planned investment, site designations, and timelines to expand available laydown space and quayside infrastructure

Department of Health to provide its position on wind turbines, given environmental noise affects human health and that the current 2006 Section 28 Wind Energy Development Guidelines provide no specific health protection standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58203/25

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the expected amount of energy generated by wind in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60337/25

Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the means by which the Government is supporting investment in energy storage to complement wind generation and ensure supply stability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58543/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 5GW of offshore wind targeted for 2030 that will be energised by 2030; the proportion that will be under construction by 2030; the proportion, if any, that will have yet to begin

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the acceleration of offshore wind development under the Climate Action Plan 2025, including progress on grid integration and planning reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60514/25

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the plans in place to accelerate offshore wind development to meet the 2030 targets and diversify our renewable portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58544/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he expects any of the 5GW offshore wind targeted for delivery by 2030 will be energised by 2030, as opposed to being under construction; to provide a detailed timeline of when he anticipates each project

Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has reviewed current legislation governing solar and wind farms in the west of Ireland; the improvements being considered to support renewable energy development in Roscommon–Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61473/25

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an updated timeline for the delivery of Ireland’s offshore wind targets under CAP25, in view of industry concerns that the State is falling behind; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will acknowledge that the High Court has now ruled in multiple cases that wind turbine noise can constitute a nuisance, even where developments are compliant with planning conditions; and his plans to ensure

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding further initiatives proposed by his Department to increase the support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59381/25

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the €35 million penalty paid by a company (details supplied) after it pulled out of a wind farm project; and if any of this penalty will be invested into