Planning Issues
Seanad Éireann — 2026-09-23
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Mike Kennelly (FG), Labour Panel

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I mentioned the Minister for the environment. Are we saying that these guidelines have to be presented to the Minister for housing to implement? I am asking about the input from the Minister for the environment. I respect the response of the Minister of State but I do not respect the timeline or timeframe. Right now across the country, it is starting to creep up. It was brought to our attention in the Dáil last week by Deputy Kyne. He wanted a moratorium on any future grants of planning permission for solar farms until these guidelines are brought to our attention and that of the local authorities that make decisions on planning applications. I cannot build a house without a guideline. I cannot seek planning permission to build a house without any guidelines.
The one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable. Until the national planning statement for solar energy is finalised, it remains the case that no specific planning guidelines are currently in place to deal with the development of solar energy. I am here for one reason. It is starting to creep across the country. Unfortunately, there are more than 4,500 acres in north Kerry that will be covered. It is good land and the home of Kerry Group. We are on about land, lamb production and farming. The oversaturation in areas is going to require a big answer. I need the guidelines. If we can pass the buck to another Department, so be it, but I am here to look for those guidelines.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-09-23/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-23