To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for his Department’s assessment of the impact the construction of wind farm infrastructure can have on peatlands.

My Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of wind farms on peatlands. However, the evidence indicates that the development of wind farms has the potential to be damaging to peatlands and current planning policy reflects this.

Each development proposal is unique and potential impacts to natural heritage features are individually assessed for impacts to ecology and hydrology. Potential risks that may be presented can include, but not limited to, disruption to the peatland hydrology, movement of peat, oxidation of peat and/or loss of habitat.

My officials, in line with the Department’s role as a statutory consultee, conduct a robust assessment of any development proposals received, including those that have the potential to impact peatland areas. This includes consideration of relevant planning policies, environmental impact assessment regulations, risks to natural heritage features, and suitability and appropriateness of any mitigation/compensation recommended to reduce or prevent any possible impacts from windfarm development on peatlands. My officials provide a recommendation to the planning authority or to the Department for Infrastructure. This may include, where appropriate, suitable mitigation measures and/or conditions to ensure that all risks to natural heritage features have been addressed and the possibility of any likely impact has been considered.