Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the troika of speakers for their presentations, pardon the pun. We import 88% of our energy, mainly gas and oil. In 2009 we set renewable energy targets of 16% for gross final consumption by 2020 and 42% for renewable energy penetration, as Mr. D'Arcy said. Wind can be part of the mix. As Deputy Coffey said, this source of generation can only be included through a suite of measures including wave, biomass and wind.

Mr. Caulfield mentioned areas such as Tarbert and Lumcloon, which are on the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER's to-do list regarding the provision of energy into the renewable and electricity markets. I am very disappointed at CER's progress on that. Companies such as Lumcloon, which has a connection to the grid, a licence and planning permission, can contribute to the energy sector and be a backup to the existing wind energy provisions without anything coming on stream into the future.

The big issue is that there is massive new technology and larger wind turbines are being contracted at a lower elevations than was previously the case. Everybody seems to agree that the guidelines are outdated. Even the proposed guidelines in draft form could be construed to be outdated based on the number of submissions being made. The other guidelines from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the EPA's guidelines on noise and best practice, published in 2013, have no statutory power. We must address that issue. Some statutory power must be given.

Mr. D'Arcy and I know that Bord na Móna, in its history, was one of the main drivers of the midlands economy, particularly in my county of Offaly. It had to evolve and meet changing demands, alter work practices, diversify and seek new revenue streams. It did that by consultation through communities and with its work force and by negotiation. No amount of imposition from the top down achieves the sort of results we all desire. It will be the same in this instance, in realising the potential that may exist, but only if there is proper consultation. Mr. D'Arcy mentioned that there must be a proper planning process. That is an indication that the existing planning process is not proper and does not meet with the satisfaction of those who will be affected most and who may benefit most from what is proposed by all and sundry.

There is talk of the benefits of value-added jobs but the numbers cannot be quantified now. Both governments have entered into a memorandum of understanding about the export of electricity from this source. The Element Power representatives said they were anxious that an intergovernmental agreement would supersede and take the place of the memorandum of understanding. If one does not have proper planning processes in place, and one acknowledges that, one cannot expect the memorandum of understanding to be replaced now with an intergovernmental agreement. Most of the cutaway bogs are almost entirely cut away. The day of the public service obligation, PSO, is coming to an end. We can see that with the proposed sale of power plants in Shannonbridge and Lough Ree. There is a role, as there has been, for energy production in our region into the future. The cutaway bogs are the prime location where that should begin. We will see how it progresses thereafter.

The new proper planning guidelines must be put in place. I hear the benefits that can accrue to localities, communities and local authorities. They would be great and most welcome and they would address many of the concerns and issues that many candidates will have when they put themselves before the electorate for the local authority election in May. This would make their job much easier when one considers the lack of funding available to them from the sources to which they have become accustomed in the past. It is simple to say that nuclear power would bring much economic benefit too. That is not to say it would meet with the approval of the localities where it would be sited.

We must ask some real and honest questions and I would like to hear the opinions of those before us today in answering those questions honestly. They might take stock of where they are regarding the consultations that are taking place with landowners in areas of counties that are not designated within county development plans, within counties which have had the foresight in the past to acknowledge the potential that exists in this area and consult with their localities, communities and county with a view to arriving at a consensus whereby areas might be designated for consideration where the experts with the planning expertise who are to protect society and communities thereafter would be charged with the responsibility for adjudicating on any such applications.

Do the witnesses agree that the existing guidelines are outdated as they stand? For example, in my county, Offaly, we devised a strategy in 2009 supported by areas of designation for consideration. At that time I never envisaged the advancement in size and technology of these fixtures that are in place. That never resonated with me when we put that in place at the time. As part of the process, should there be an independent economic review of wind energy seeking an input which might give us an indication of the impact on energy prices and the long-term sustainability of supply to the national grid?

Do the witnesses agree that all counties should have wind energy strategies within their remit as part of their county development plans? Do they believe and acknowledge that those development plans and the process in which they engage to arrive at a consensus should be given more weight when applications are made for large strategic developments to An Bord Pleanála? That consultative process is at its best in the localities where these proposals are being made. I have seen that at first hand, and the witnesses have all had representatives at various meetings throughout the counties of which we speak - Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, etc. Do they believe existing guidelines on setbacks are outdated? What improvements should be made and what is their opinion on what is proposed in the draft guidelines? Do the witnesses believe there should be compensation packages for properties that find themselves within whatever guidelines are eventually agreed? I might ask more questions later.