Dáil debates

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Topical Issue Debate

Wind Energy Guidelines

6:10 pm

Photo of Michael ColreavyMichael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Members on the Government benches sometimes say that the Sinn Féin Deputies do not want to see Government policy succeed, but I know that is not true and I suspect that the Members opposite also know it is not true. I and the Sinn Féin Party fully support the maximum use of renewable energy, including wind-generated energy, in Ireland. We want wind energy projects in Ireland to succeed. We want to minimise our dependence on imported energy, to maximise our capacity for renewable energy and to ensure that the benefits arising from renewable energy are applied for the benefit of the people of Ireland. However, we contend that the Government must have a coherent and integrated strategy governing all aspects of renewable energy generation, including wind energy generation. That is a critical point. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, argues that we have a strategy, but I contend that we do not have one and that what we have is a statement of objectives and some broad timescales. A strategy would have to include a study of the true potential and economics of renewable energy generation, including the impact on tourism in rural areas; measures for dealing with the impact on host communities, particularly where major wind farm developments are envisaged; proposals for a land and landscape management strategy to ensure that local authorities and the Government advise companies where such projects will be located, rather than the Government constantly responding to companies that decide where they will be located; and proposals to encourage micro-generation and small-area energy supplies, including bio-generation projects, which seem to have fallen off the radar and are only sometimes mentioned in ministerial speeches.

It must include a listed, costed statement of the financial benefits accruing to the host communities and the people of Ireland. If we do not have these things, we do not have a strategy and the Government is responding to companies.

The proposed revisions to the guidelines published last week pertain to noise and flicker shadow but avoid the issue most people have with wind turbines - their proximity to dwelling houses. There is one reference to distance on page 6 of the guidelines, which indicates that it is intended to retain 500 m as the distance between turbines and houses. It is something that requires to be revisited and which has been the subject of a number of Private Members' motions, not all of which were tabled by Sinn Féin. Given the likelihood of a major wind farm in the midlands as part of the energy export deal with Britain, it is vital that all of these issues are subject to consultation and that the views of local communities are taken into account. The guidelines which should be regulations rather than guidelines need to be in place before work commences. It is envisaged 1,700 turbines will be built by 2020 to meet the export requirements indicated in the memorandum of understanding signed by the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte. It is a massive undertaking which has generated considerable debate and opposition in the midlands. Some respected economists argue that the economics do not stand up. We need to revisit this issue and we ask that there be a suspension of work until the regulations and proper strategy are in place.

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