Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not asking the Taoiseach to interfere in individual planning applications. I do not know if he is aware that his own Government commenced a review of the 2006 guidelines but, unfortunately, allowed only two weeks for submissions from the public. The point is that the 2006 guidelines are hopelessly out of date given the new technology. We are not talking about a couple of turbines on the side of a hill. We are talking about 700 wind turbines proposed for the midlands that will produce exclusively for export under guidelines that, by any professional evidence basis and according to professionals in the field, are hopelessly out of date and inappropriate for what is being proposed. The health implications are real for residents who are close to such large-scale industrial wind turbines. I am simply asking the Taoiseach to create and bring in a legislative framework to govern the development of such large industrial wind farms. It is as simple as that. The planning authorities need guidelines. Even the county development plans are ambiguous in terms of their provision in this area. I have looked at the plan for Cork, for example, and could not understand how wind turbines that were so high could be placed so close - 500 metres - to houses.

We had this situation before with afforestation for which, understandably, there was great momentum. I am for afforestation but it went overboard at the time. Houses were completely enclosed by massive forests, which is wrong. What happened to citizens on that occasion was wrong. The same will happen here. Citizens are concerned and anxious, and we must ask why. It is because there is no consultation. The Taoiseach stated there was extensive consultation but there is no consultation going on. Let him talk to his own Deputies from the midlands. That is why a Government Deputy has tabled his own legislation in this area, seeking to have it dealt with. That is why a Senator in the Government ranks tabled legislation in the Seanad almost six months ago to deal with this issue. When there is an absence of consultation and transparency and a lack of acknowledgement of the genuine concerns of moderate people, the Taoiseach is looking for trouble. He is out of touch on this issue and quickly needs to get in touch with it and provide a framework that at least protects the health of residents, their residential amenities and the visual impact on them. That is the least residents and citizens can expect from their Government.

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