Brian Brennan on Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2025: Villages at Risk
Brian Brennan asks for an update on progress with the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2025 and raises concern about large wind turbines sited close to rural villages. He urges consideration of alternatives such as expanded solar schemes and offshore wind, and highlights planning obstacles that are preventing Irish Sea development.
Brian Brennan opened by seeking clarity on the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2025 and stressed the obligation to meet 2030 targets while protecting rural communities. He questioned whether placing very large turbines near villages is the best option for those communities.
Brennan argued for prioritising solar panels and adapting existing successful schemes so houses, businesses and farm buildings can participate. He also pointed to offshore wind as an untapped resource, noting that currently no power is being produced in the Irish Sea because of planning delays.
He cited Craanford in County Wexford as an example of a village that should not have to accommodate turbines of vast scale, comparing their size to the spire in Dublin and the length of Pigeon Crow Park to illustrate local impact.
A departmental response outlined that the Planning and Development Act 2024 replaces ministerial guidelines with national planning statements and that a focused review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines is informing the new national planning statement. The national planning statement will address noise, setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligations and dividends, grid connections, and will be subject to strategic environmental assessment and public consultation in line with EU requirements.
Request for update
Brian Brennan opened by seeking clarity on the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2025 and stressed the obligation to meet 2030 targets while protecting rural communities. He questioned whether placing very large turbines near villages is the best option for those communities.
Alternatives proposed
Brennan argued for prioritising solar panels and adapting existing successful schemes so houses, businesses and farm buildings can participate. He also pointed to offshore wind as an untapped resource, noting that currently no power is being produced in the Irish Sea because of planning delays.
Local impact example
He cited Craanford in County Wexford as an example of a village that should not have to accommodate turbines of vast scale, comparing their size to the spire in Dublin and the length of Pigeon Crow Park to illustrate local impact.
Policy response and next steps
A departmental response outlined that the Planning and Development Act 2024 replaces ministerial guidelines with national planning statements and that a focused review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines is informing the new national planning statement. The national planning statement will address noise, setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligations and dividends, grid connections, and will be subject to strategic environmental assessment and public consultation in line with EU requirements.
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Transcript
I'm looking for an update on progress in relation to the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2025. I'm fully aware of our responsibility in relation to reaching our 2030 targets, but is the construction of these monstrosities turbines close to many rural villages really the best option for these communities? Should we prioritise solar panels and financially tweak the already successful schemes so that every house, industrial premises and farm shed can avail? Should we focus on the incredible untapped potential of offshore wind farms? Today, not one kilowatt is being produced out on the Irish Sea, as progress is simply tied up with planning issues. By addressing these issues, villages such as Cranford Taoiseach in County Wexford will not have to accommodate these turbines that are simply the height of the spire in Dublin here. They span the length of the Pigeon Crow Park. We know we have to reach our targets, but the way we're going about it is simply wrong and we must take into consideration the communities that are down there. Thank you very much, Deputy, for raising the issue. The Planning and Development Act of 2024 replaces ministerial guidelines with national planning statements and existing Section 28 guidelines, including the 2006 Wind Energy Guidelines remain in force until replaced. DCEE, as the lead policy department for renewable energy, as you know, supports the development of the national planning statement, and that will include environmental reporting, public consultation, EU obligations, 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, and that national planning statement will address noise, setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligations and dividends, and grid connections. A strategic environmental assessment, a public consultation will be carried out in line with EU requirements, and that's currently underway.