Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will now consider the location of industrial wind turbines across Ireland with our witnesses. I welcome Mr. Andrew Duncan, public relations officer, Mr. Daryl Kennedy, Mr. David Reid, Ms Nora Fagan, Mr. Dick Bowdler and Dr. Chris Hanning on behalf of the Lakelands Windfarm Information Group. I thank them very much for their attendance.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given, and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise witnesses that the opening statement and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after this meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person, persons or entity in any way that would make him, her, them or it identifiable.

I wish to say a few words before inviting the witnesses to commence. Renewable energy provided by wind turbines is seen as one of the prime energy sources for the future. The energy is clean, plentiful and renewable, and this country is ideally placed to generate large quantities of it, not just to satisfy domestic needs but also to provide a supply at European level. Wind turbines are not a new phenomenon. They are located around the world, with very large wind farms in China and parts of the United States of America. They produce massive amounts of clean energy. For example, the Gansu wind farm in China has a capacity of more than 5,000 MW and it is hoped to increase this to 20,000 MW by 2020. The EU has a total installed capacity of approximately 94,000 MW, comprised of more than 29,000 MW in Germany in 2011, 22,000 MW in Spain and between 6,000 MW and 7,000 MW in France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

According to Met Éireann, the wind at any particular location can be influenced by a number of factors such as obstruction by buildings, the nature of the terrain and deflection by nearby mountains or hills. The average annual wind speeds in Ireland range from 10.8 km/h in south Leinster to more than 20.8 km/h in the very north of the island. These are very strong winds and they provide an opportunity for Ireland to develop its economy and to provide sustainable jobs through the provision of wind farms in ideal locations. I do not think anyone disputes that, but what is in dispute and what we are here to consider today is the location of wind farms and their impact and potential benefit or detriment to local communities. I now invite Mr. Duncan to address the committee.