Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is timely this morning that I raise the issue of wind and call for another debate on wind energy given that people are on the streets of Dublin protesting against pylons and wind turbines in certain areas of the country. It was very much highlighted in the news over the weekend how we need now to produce more renewable energy from wind and wave. There are vast areas on the western seaboard where we could produce more wind energy, construct more wind farms and create much-needed employment. Around the centre of the country Bord na Móna has vast areas of land that would be suitable for wind farms and wind turbines. It is time for us to have another debate on wind energy and to come up with a solution to the problem. We have lost our chance to export energy in recent days, which is a great pity because anytime we can export something it will create jobs and much needed development. I would welcome if it were at all possible to have a debate in the near future on wind farms.