Search the record

statutory basis for the national planning framework and regional spatial and economic strategies and introduces provisions for what are known as national planning statements. These national planning statements have been introduced to replace ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing … section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new national planning statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will, however, remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding national planning statement. Subsequently, this means new guidance on wind energy development will issue

full consideration of the 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 … addressed as part of an ongoing review of the existing 2006 wind energy development guidelines and our intention is to publish a national planning statement on wind energy as part of that process. I am concerned that key provisions set out in the Bill are inconsistent with

provides the statutory basis for the national planning framework and the regional spatial and economic strategies, and introduces provisions for the new national planning statements that will replace section 28 planning guidelines. Therefore, the solar guidelines, once finalised, will issue as a national planning statement under … national planning statement regarding solar energy development. The Department intends to undertake a public consultation on the draft statement before it is finalised to give the individuals, communities and organisations the Deputy referred to the opportunity to submit observations on this draft statement. Consequently, any draft national planning

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 is addressing a number of key aspects of the guidelines including … Energy, which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters and has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the national planning statement, which is highly technical in nature. This work is now well under way. In addition to work on the noise aspects

thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Planning and Development Act 2024 replaces the ministerial guidelines with national planning statements. The existing section 28 guidelines, including the 2006 wind energy guidelines, remain in force until replaced. The Department of Climate, Communications and the Environment, as the lead … policy Department for renewable energy, supports the development of the national planning statement. That will include environmental reporting, public consultation, EU obligations, and matters such as setback distances, noise and shadow flicker. A focused review of the wind energy development guidelines is informing the new national planning statement

people pillar of the plan also includes a number of actions targeted at rural areas. This includes the intention to publish a national planning statement on rural housing in the second half of 2026 in order to provide a more consistent approach by all planning authorities to rural … interdepartmental group. When the statement is finalised and issued, it will be required to be applied consistently by planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála in the performance of their functions under the planning Acts. In advance of the national planning statement being finalised, the development plans guidelines

Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, on 2 October provisions for national planning statements were introduced to replace the provisions for ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing section … guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new national planning statements, including childcare guidelines. The current guidelines will, however, remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding national planning statement. My Department is working with the Departments of Children, Disability and Equality, and Education

Development Act 2024 with respect to the private and commercial operation of drones, creating an additional consideration for the issuance of the national planning statement and by requiring local authorities to prepare objectives for the management of drone operations. Section 1 just sets out the key interpretation provisions … section 26 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 to create a new consideration upon the Minister in the issuance of a national planning statement. That is the consistent regulation of the private and commercial operation of drone systems in the public interest. The term "consistent" is important

Progress has been made in this regard. The Department is working towards the publication of a wind energy national planning statement as a matter of priority. The programme for Government commits to prioritising publication and review of the guidelines, which will form a national planning statement. The Department … working towards meeting this commitment to finalise a national planning statement having regard to evolving policy, public consultations and technical contexts while having appropriate regard to the impact of wind energy developments. It is imperative that a robust up-to-date policy is provided that will take account

Development Act, which passed through this House at the end of 2024. That replaced ministerial guidelines with a new structure of national planning statements. It is a more robust and better process. Work is nearing conclusion on a national planning statement in relation to this issue. That needs … Government took the decision not to oppose that but to have a timed amendment to provide that space for the new national planning statement to conclude. On foot of Deputy O'Donoghue raising this matter, I have asked the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy

Government and, in particular, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are absolutely committed to working towards the publication of a national planning statement on solar energy development. That is in line with our programme for Government commitments. We are currently undertaking a scoping exercise in that … stage, but work is under way. This work will include all the appropriate public consultations and the need to ensure the finalised national planning statement is fit for purpose, given the evolving and reforming planning policy context. I take on board the Deputy's point in relation

that county development plans are decided at a local level. We must be very careful how we proceed in terms of any national planning statement. It cannot be one size fits all. Local authorities and local councillors know what is best for their local areas. I very much … local government, which is why I set up the local government task force to give more power back to local councillors. Any national planning statement, when it is announced, cannot and will not take a one-size-fits-all approach. What is good for Cork East would

Further to the commencement of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 in October 2025, provisions for national planning statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The timing of the issuing … national planning statements is based on Government priorities. The current childcare facilities guidelines for planning authorities, which remain in place until revoked or replaced by a new national planning statement, set out the methodology for calculating an adequate provision of childcare places and ensure consistency in the approach

interest and debate across the country. The Government believes in the importance of public participation within our planning system. Any draft national planning statement, NPS, will be put out to public consultation, whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations. The finalised NPS will … that the planning policy and the legislative framework is in place to enable planning authorities and the board to make decisions on planning applications in respect of wind energy developments, in line with our planning and sustainable development, pending the finalisation of the revised national planning statement

Minister for housing set up a commission to undertake an independent professional assessment and a linguistic impact assessment on the new national planning statement. I ask for that to be carried out because there is a real danger that the national planning statement will do the opposite

addition to the range of housing supports that are available nationally and the clear focus on tackling barriers to delivery, a national planning statement will be prepared for housing in the Gaeltacht. My Department will also continue to work with the Department of Rural and Community Development … infrastructure to support housing development in an Ghaeltacht. Considerable work has already been carried out by both Departments in developing the new national planning statement, which will be published in the first half of 2027. This will allow for a robust assessment of development proposals and implementation

solar capacity is required for Ireland to meet its domestic and international targets. For this reason, my Department is preparing a new national planning statement on solar energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. My Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component … factors relevant to the preparation of the national planning statement for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental assessment and public consultation requirements and other relevant European obligations such as the renewable energy directive, RED III, which will determine the timeframe for publication of said guidelines. The scoping

have regard to the objective of the regulation of drones in the public interest of private and commercial drones in a national planning statement, as Deputy O'Gorman has outlined, and in development plans, respectively. It also would see noise from a drone addressed as a nuisance, allowing … issuance of national planning statements and the requirement for local authorities to prepare objectives for the management of UAS operations in their development plans may be overly prescriptive. The purpose of development plans is to provide an integrated overall planning approach. It is a priority for Government

much higher. There has been quite considerable pressure for the updated guidelines, which go 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 … 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 up-to-date analysis and take account of international best practice. That will then have

small island and we need to have a consistent approach to rural planning guidelines. The intention now is to have a new national planning statement on rural housing prepared under section 25 of the Planning and Development Act, which will ultimately require Government approval and then will … with protecting the rural character of countryside and preventing urban-generated sprawl as well. I am really looking forward to the new national planning statement coming to Government very shortly and I think it will be of significant benefit to rural communities

welcome the publication today of the draft national planning statement on rural and Gaeltacht housing, which represents the most significant reform of rural housing policy in over 20 years. As a rural TD for Kerry, I know at first hand the frustration, inconsistency and uncertainty that many families … Taoiseach confirm the timeline for the completion of the environmental assessment and public consultation, and reassure rural families that the final national planning statement will be in place before the end of this year? How quickly does he envisage the new draft planning statement being incorporated into county

private and commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones; to create an additional consideration for issuance of a National Planning Statement; to require local authorities to prepare objectives for the management of unmanned aircraft system operations; to permit any person, a local authority … amending the Planning and Development Act 2024 to create a new consideration for the Minister to take into account when issuing a national planning statement, that is, that it is consistent with the regulation of the private and commercial operation of unmanned drone aircraft systems in the public

decision-making culture which ensures that the public and national interest come first. This is not a report of recommendations. The report is a statement of intent, and the Government is committed to implementing this action plan in full and on time. This is evident with clear deadlines … opportunities to simplify, create parallel systems and streamline regulatory processes. The legislation underpinning regulatory processes will also be rationalised. We will publish national planning statements to create legally binding guidance for planning authorities. This will create consistency, transparency and accountability in decision-making on infrastructure projects. We will

policy approach to determining planning applications for short-term lets, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently finalising a national planning statement on short-term letting to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill. The NPS will ensure a transparent, consistent overall policy

Housing, Local Government and Heritage is considering how best to proceed with updated rural housing guidelines in the form of a national planning statement on rural housing. This work will replace the current rural housing guidelines and will continue to enable development plans to provide for housing

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the publication and commencement of the proposed National Planning Statement on rural housing will require planning authorities to initiate statutory … variations to their County Development Plans where existing policies are inconsistent with the new National Planning Statement; whether planning authorities will be required to determine planning applications in accordance with the National Planning Statement pending completion of any such statutory variations; whether transitional guidance will issue to planning

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the preparation of a national planning statement regarding rural housing and housing within Gaeltacht areas, as promised by the Government in its national housing plan; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, as part of the new national planning statement, he will review or amend the provisions of the national roads guidelines that restrict one-off housing on national secondary roads such

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) are to be reviewed, or a national planning statement prepared, to address the proliferation of premises for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products in cities, towns and villages; the timeline

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to PQ69374/26, the timeline for delivering of the National Planning Statement in relation to onshore wind energy development; if it will be delivered in 2026; and the year this is projected to be delivered. [72067/26

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the national planning statement on solar energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024; and when he expects the statement will be ready to be published. [68431/26

Environment the way in which the findings of the independent analysis on repowering and lifetime extension will inform the forthcoming National Planning Statement on Wind Energy and the development of a policy framework for existing onshore wind farms; whether he accepts that delays in providing such a framework

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Planning Statement relating to onshore wind energy is expected to be published; whether its publication will be expedited as a priority in 2026, having regard to the Government’s renewable electricity targets

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the timely publication of the National Planning Statement relating to onshore wind energy is considered necessary to support the Government’s target of generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and the delivery

Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the role his Department will play in amending and finalising the recently published draft national planning statement for rural and Gaeltacht housing. [53184/26

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his views on the recently announced draft National Planning Statement to Transform Approach to Rural Housing-Delivering Greater Clarity and Consistency. [53135/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the proposed national planning statement for the Gaeltacht to be published; whether it is intended to publish a draft for public consultation before it is finalised; how Gaeltacht communities and representative organisations will

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, following the commencement of the National Planning Statement on rural housing, the planning policies and objectives contained within existing County Development Plans that are inconsistent with the statement will cease to have effect immediately

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress being made on the new National Planning Statement on Rural Housing; the measures being considered to ensure that young people and families with genuine local connections can build homes in their own communities; when

Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address issues (details supplied) in relation to the Draft National Planning Statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the upcoming National Planning Statement on short term lets will be published; if he intends to provide planning exemptions for historic properties that cannot contribute to long-term housing supply; and if he will make

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of national planning statements for critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40392/26

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a national planning statement is being prepared in relation to short-term letting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37465/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the new National Planning Statement on Solar Energy; and to provide a timeline for its publication. [34750/26

plots are provided for a population of similar size; if such targets will be included in the forthcoming guidelines or in a National Planning Statement under the Planning and Development Act 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29207/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to publish the National Planning Statement, which is required in order for the publication of the Planning Guidelines in order to enact Section 44b of the Planning and Development (Amendment

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to publish a National Planning Statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17487/26

Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the forthcoming National Planning Statement on Short-Term Letting provides a workable and proportionate framework for small coastal towns where tourism is a key part of the local

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given, in the formulation of the National Planning Statement and its guidance on short term letting (STL), to the position of properties that operate as short term lets but are unlikely

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the National planning statement to support short term lets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10892/26