Denis Landy (Labour)
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There is no rush to make decisions on the issue of sustainability, as everyone involved in energy supply agrees that we have done enough to take us to 2030, even if we were to do nothing else. I am heartened in some ways and disappointed in others by the efforts invested in promoting bio-energy, which most of us accept is the most sustainable way of creating energy. It is done through the use of organic crops, rural-based initiatives and a never-ending crop cycle. Despite this, we only meet 1% of our energy needs through bio-energy production. The Government must give direction in terms of policies and subsidies.

Today I heard the CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, speak about the savings derived from sustainable energy production. A figure of €1 billion was mentioned. When I had the opportunity to analyse the document which was, strangely enough, only produced today when the groups were attending, the reality is that, if every conceivable puff of wind was captured in the grid, the savings would amount to €1 billion. As everyone present knows, however, when the wind blows too strongly, turbines must be turned off. The figure of €1 billion, therefore, is mythical.

This feeds into my concern about some of the figures thrown out by others at this meeting when addressing the genuine questions ordinary people like Ms Doolan, others and I want answered. I support all alternative energy ideas, but I do not buy into the myth that, as laid out today by the SEAI, we are saving money through wind energy generation. In reality, the cost of energy in Ireland has increased by more than 100% in the past decade. This is the third most expensive country in Europe. At the peak of our requirements in January 2010 when we needed 5,000 MW, only 40 MW could be provided by way of wind energy generation. This figure debunks everything we have been told today. Wind energy production is not the solution to our problem. We have been told that it will reduce the cost of energy to the user. In Germany, probably Europe's most progressive country, it cost each user an extra €300 last year to buy into the concept of wind energy generation. It will cost the German state €23 billion in 2014.

Bord na Móna is proposing to install between 300 and 350 turbines in the Bog of Allen, each of which will be 190 m tall. It referred in great detail to its concern about communities. These turbines will be seen from at least 10 km away, never mind the noise generated. The turbines that produce noise of 45 decibels are only 60 m tall. What is Bord na Móna's proposal for the setback from people's houses? How many turbines does Bord na Móna intend to install in County Mayo? The carbon benefit of wind energy was mentioned, but for each of these pylons we need the equivalent amount of concrete poured for 150 houses. The improvement in the carbon footprint will be done away with in installing such tall turbines.

Peak demand is 5,000 MW. If we are to go ahead with everything that is in the pipeline, we will have between 2,000 MW and 3,500 MW of wind energy per annum. As we have already hit our target of 40%, what will we do with the energy we do not need? Exporting to the United Kingdom is a dated concept. As we all know, the European Union abandoned its renewable energy targets for 2020 in the past two weeks.