Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I hope he will accept that I share his vision to the effect that we must move away from a reliance on fossil fuels and towards a much more sustainable renewable power source for electricity generation. Primarily, that source will be provided via wind energy.

I take issue with the Minister in the context of how it is planned to connect onshore and offshore wind generation projects to the grid under the gate 3 mechanism. It has been made clear, at meetings of Oireachtas committees and elsewhere, that the basis on which a grid connection under the gate 3 mechanism is granted relates to the length of time for which a project has been awaiting connection rather than on whether — in the context of wind speeds, location, proximity to the grid, etc. — that project is suitable.

Does the Minister accept that if we are to build between 2,000 to 4,000 wind turbines during the next ten years to produce the level of power envisaged by him, we should adopt a far more strategic approach with regard to where we locate this infrastructure? Does he also accept that this would be preferable to granting grid connection on the basis of the length of time a project has been awaiting such connection? At present, there is no strategic planning in this regard. In that context, certain zones could be identified as being suitable locations for the development of wind farms.

The Green Party makes big play of the fact — and rightly so — that terrible planning mistakes have been made in the past. Such mistakes contributed to the tragedy to which the past week's flooding has given rise. We must not do the same when it comes to planning for this massive infrastructural project that will involve the construction of thousands of wind turbines. Instead of relying on stakeholders who have a vested interest in obtaining grid connections, we should take a much more strategic approach and zone areas where the development of wind farms — in the form of new projects and those awaiting connection — should be encouraged.

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