Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The basis of the planning laws should accommodate communities and citizens and be inclusive. Clearly, this is a case that has given rise to considerable hardship for at least an individual family and perhaps more in the community.

I am struck by the representations made by both Senator Ó Clochartaigh and Deputy Nolan. I agree with the course of action as proposed by the Senator. We may not be in a position to deal satisfactorily with this specific case but I believe that there are issues which are of significant concern to the public in the course of which this committee can be of assistance.

The lesson to communities, a lesson that should come from this committee, is that communities and citizens should be aware. There is a responsibility to become aware of what is happening. There will be in the order of 2,700 wind turbines constructed over the next period of time to comply with a Government initiative which is by and large positive. There is a message here that communities should be aware and citizens should be alert, and the planning process should be designed to be inclusive. While we may not be in a position to satisfy this particular petitioner, we should be mindful of lessons that we can learn and a message that we can give to other communities and individuals.