Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I am pleased members of the panel have highlighted the fact that they are in favour of the development of wind energy projects. We all accept their importance, but the key issue is how it is done. Has the panel considered whether the approach taken contravenes the principles of the Aarhus Convention, given that people have been signed up in advance? What can be done about this?

When a planning application is lodged, is it fair to assume that the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, will have some role to play? While the local authorities will focus on the physical elements of the application, I presume the EPA will examine issues such as noise and any other factor which could have environmental consequences. I ask the panel to address this question. Is there anything meaningful that could be done in that regard?

I agree with Deputy Brian Stanley's point on obsolescence and the need for a bond. Our settlement patterns are very different from those in the United Kingdom, for example. Our population is very dispersed, with a lot of one-off houses all over the countryside. Has the panel considered this fact in the context of the development of wind energy projects?