Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Seán Kyne (FG), Galway West

While solar energy has an important role to play in achieving Ireland's renewable energy targets, there is growing concern across Galway about the scale and location of proposed solar farm developments. Many constituents have raised concerns about solar proposals, including the projects being pursued on productive, top-tier agricultural farmland and in close proximity to rural homes and communities. The closest panels in the case of the Lackagh proposal in County Galway are within 50 m of some homes and within 100 m of other homes in a local estate. Councillor David Collins held a meeting last Tuesday regarding local concerns, including the impact of construction traffic on the local school, the proximity of the proposal and the future expansion of Lackagh village, which I attended. In line with the commitment contained in the programme for Government, will the Minister provide an update on when the solar energy guidelines will be published and commenced? Will we see guidelines this year, or will they be put on the long finger, as the wind guidelines were? Does she accept that clear planning guidance is required urgently? Will the Government consider a temporary moratorium for large-scale solar projects?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-17