Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue and I thank the Minister for coming to the House to take part in the debate. It is an important issue not just for my constituency, but also for the midlands and the country at large. We are all aware that the Minister signed a memorandum of understanding with his UK counterpart in January and two private companies are actively engaging with landowners regarding potential leases for the erection of wind turbines in the midlands. Mr. O'Connor of Mainstream Renewable Power was quoted in the Financial Times in January as saying, "We have already signed up hundreds of landowners across the Irish midlands and will create the largest wind farm in Europe." While I acknowledge landowners are entitled to engage with whomever they want regarding what they want to do on the land, the proposed wind farm will affect entire communities across the midlands which are not being consulted. There is widespread concern and anxiety among these communities. Given that the scale of the development will mean that any potential application will need to go directly to An Bord Pleanála, does the Minister not believe we need something more than non-binding wind energy guidelines to influence a decision?

I accept that Ireland has a legal obligation to meet under the EU directive 2009/28/EC. In an ever-evolving world we should continually enhance regulations and legislation to ensure sustainable development which will not be detrimental to our communities. This is a national issue and it warrants a national strategy on renewable energy. The Government should introduce a moratorium on any future development until such a strategy is introduced. The national strategy should encompass all renewable energy sources - wind, biomass, solar, etc. There should be consultation with the various industries, the local community groups, environmental groups and the various Departments. Such a strategy could then inform the Government and take into account competing interests.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications could be charged with formulating such a strategy. It should look at various countries where best practice exists. We should introduce a moratorium until the guidelines are reviewed, amended and put on a statutory footing. These guidelines should deal with issues such as ensuring communities are aware of potential planning applications and that proper comprehensive public consultation is carried out. The distance between the residence and any proposed turbine should reflect the height of the turbine. Environmental impact assessments need to be carried out. We need scientific studies on noise, flicker and shadowing. We need to use the most up-to-date research from the World Health Organization to ensure that no potential development will have a detrimental effect on people's health. We also need to ensure our targets are met under the EU directive before we start exporting excess energy.

I ask the Minister to facilitate my request, which comes not only from me. Various other Oireachtas Members and members of the Minister's party at local level are calling on him to introduce a moratorium. They are calling on him to introduce a national strategy to deal with the issue. They are calling on him to ensure the guidelines are revised and put on a statutory basis to ensure we have sustainable development into the future and that such development will not have a detrimental impact on communities. I again thank the Minister for coming in to take this debate.

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