Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

The Fine Gael motion is timely and I congratulate its Deputies for bringing it forward. It dovetails nicely with the motion brought forward by Independent Deputies last week, which forced the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to have a change of heart as regards the better exploitation of our natural resources by the people. The finite nature of carbon resources has been well flagged. This makes it imperative that the State invest heavily in alternative sources of energy which do not change the environment, are sustainable and indigenous. The potential is all around us — wind power, wave power, tidal energy and solar power. What has been lacking is vision on the part of Government to face up to a critical situation. The small amount of energy generated from alternative sources is evidence of that failure. We are all aware of alternative energy projects that did not get the go-ahead. For example, wind farm turbine projects are constantly being refused planning permission.

One essential missing ingredient in this area is meaningful community involvement. I do not speak of token involvement but of true partnership between the community and the State in bringing these projects to fruition and in their ongoing running.

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