James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In my contribution last evening I spoke about the possible massive impact the proposed industrial turbines might have. It is a highly controversial issue in the midlands. Those corporations which have the contract to try to build these wind turbines will in the next few weeks begin a public consultation process in an attempt to allay people's concerns about the plan for their lands. It has been stated at public meetings which I have attended that if the corporations continue with the hidden clause style of doing business, they can engage in all of the public consultations they want, but they will not convince anyone.

While wind energy projects are welcome, wind farms must be located or sited away from people's homes, schools and areas of natural beauty. On behalf of many people in the Longford-Westmeath region, I tabled a priority question to the Minister requesting a moratorium on the wind farm development process until new guidelines and regulations were in place. In his reply the Minister stated the request for a moratorium was based on a "misapprehension regarding the current planning regulations in Ireland." The people of the midlands are under no misapprehension; they have shown serious opposition to any process that is rushed and lacks detail. We must send a message that proper planning and sustainability guidelines must be adhered to in any proposed development in the siting of wind farms in the midlands. It is up to every citizen in Ireland to protect the environment. Councils also need to strengthen environmental protection measures and policies on wind energy projects. I am glad to say local authorities in Longford and Westmeath are putting the correct measures in place in as far as legislation allows. These are the only counties I can speak for as they form part of my constituency. There is a need for detailed consultation with local communities at public meetings. There must be public participation in decision-making and all decision-making must be transparent and fair. It is important to send a message that an environmental impact study is necessary for projects of this size. I ask the Minister to ensure this study will be carried out.

The current regulations governing the operation of wind turbines and the guidelines work against the environment and our tourism interests. It is very important that the State ensure the rewards from wind energy projects do not accrue to others at the expense of the people. Further research and policy analysis are essential to get the proposals right and avoid the development of a blight on the Irish landscape for years to come.

Europe and Ireland's comparatively high energy costs are increasingly a source of concern for those working in industry.

They will say the high cost of energy is a real problem, and I fear we will lose our competitiveness, particularly in energy-intensive sectors. Last year in the US, gas prices were about four times lower than in Europe and electricity prices were about 50% lower. We should be concerned about that because we are currently attracting American industry to the country and we must not have prohibitively high energy costs affecting other costs associated with development and industry.

Critics have stated that two factors are driving the divergence: the US shale gas revolution, which has lowered natural gas prices for US industry and, more controversially, European climate and energy policies, including emissions trading and renewable energy subsidies. In a recent Accenture study approximately 58% of business leaders surveyed were pessimistic about whether European industry will still be cost-competitive from an energy standpoint in three years compared with rivals such as the US, China or Russia. Ireland's ability to attract and retain foreign direct investment and support fresh enterprise depends on guaranteeing energy supplies at a competitive price at all times.

The Longford and Westmeath areas have shamefully been disregarded in respect of the natural gas scheme. Ten or 12 years ago, when gas pipelines were being brought from the west coast to Dublin, there was a proposal that the route should run through Edgeworthstown in Longford and Mullingar but, following political intervention, the gas pipeline was brought via Athlone. I have no difficulty with that but I am of the view that a spur line could have been built to Longford. The gas line was also quietly and mysteriously run through a place called Clara in County Offaly, the home village of a former Taoiseach and Minister of Finance at the time. That was political opportunism at its worst.

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