Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister visit Tipperary to see the issues on the ground that are affecting people? The invitation is open to him in the next month to accompany me and I await a response.

Alternative energies are good in theory. It is better to develop alternative energy sources rather than import fuel. If we could produce our own energy, we would be better off. For example, Bord Gáis proposes to create a significant number of jobs through wind farms, which is welcome. However, people will be up in arms because some wind farms have been built too close to private dwellings. The Minister should send guidelines to planners in local authorities to ensure such farms are not constructed too close to private dwellings. A number of regions would benefit from these farms but we have all attended public meetings where fear and concern has been expressed about wind farms.

The same issue has been raised in County Meath regarding the erection of overhead wires. It was reported recently in the newspaper it would cost X amount to bury them underground. Why could they not be buried if such a long-term investment is being made? The Minister needs to bring the public with him regarding alternative energy projects. There is not public confidence in wind farms and in one instance when planning permission was granted for a wind farm, the people behind the project applied for a bigger farm before the first one was built. That does not instil confidence in the local community.

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