Flanagan calls for mandatory statutory guidelines for wind farms

Laois Offaly TD and Fine Gael Chairman Charlie Flanagan has called upon the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan to introduce mandatory statutory guidelines for the construction of wind farms in rural area. Deputy Flanagan made the call during a topical issue debate in the Dail on Thursday.

“It is imperative that the Minister introduce mandatory statutory guidelines for wind farms. I feel the current guidelines from 2006 are both insufficient and outdated. We need a greater consistency across local authorities in relation to planning regulations for wind farms. These wind farms can be located away from populated areas. We have many cut away bogs within Laois that would provide for an ideal location and there are a number of elevated sites in rural areas that can also be identified as an appropriate location”

“The recent meeting in my constituency emphasised the real need for dialogue between the relevant stakeholders so that the concerns of rural communities are addressed. I am calling for information forums to be set up involving the relevant stakeholders, agencies and statutory bodies in the areas which have been identified for potential wind farm construction.”

“Any progress must be matched by a consistent approach from both the Department of Communications and the Department of the Environment to ensure that rural communities are reassured about any future developments in the wind energy sector which may impact upon their communities”

“I have asked that Minister Hogan reopen the consultation process for planning guidelines on wind energy. Minister Hogan assured me in the Dail that an extended public consultation process will take place later this year once the draft guidelines have been published. This will allow local communities to engage fully on the matter”