The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is still negotiating with the Department of the Environment over new wind turbine guidelines
Junior Minister and local TD Peter Burke confirmed discussions are ongoing following criticism of his department for the delay in releasing updated regulations.
The current guidelines on the legality and process behind the installation of on shore wind farms are managed by regulations published in 2006.
This month's meeting of Roscommon County Council saw local reps discuss the issue in light of the Seven Hills Windfarm project under consideration for the county by An Bord Pleanála.
Several councillors added proposals to the council's report to the higher planning body including that locals should be given free electricity or access to a relocation fund in certain circumstances.
According to council officials the submissions urging a set back distance of a kilometre and a half from homes may prove problematic under current guidelines.
This week Councillor John Keogh said the failure of the department's involved in the drawing up of the new guidelines was a 'dereliction of duty.'
Speaking to Let's Talk today, Minister Burke acknowledged the delay:
''While it has taken time, I fully accept that but we are trying to get a response that number one it will allow a sustainable renewable approach because we do need to ensure that we're going to have an economy that really gets its energy sources from all renewable if we can in the future. And that's going to be a big challenge. I think the biggest area we can move on is offshore. And hopefully, over the lifetime of this Government we will get guidelines that are sustainable, and that will meet the requirements of citizens.''
