Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2014 and commend Deputies Colreavy, Stanley and Ferris of the Sinn Féin Party for initiating the Bill. I strongly agree with the Bill's general principles and particularly the proposed set-back distance for the construction of wind turbines contained in section 6 and the enhanced role of county development plans. Section 2 is an opportune provision in light of the ongoing discussions about the energy industry in the UK. I agree with the recognition that energy produced in the jurisdiction should only be exported in circumstances in which there is an excess. Equally, the extensive provision in section 4 for proper public consultation is also a very important part of the Sinn Féin Bill.

The explanatory memorandum refers to the Bill's having been introduced in response to proposed developments in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Kildare and Meath, and its focus is inherently on onshore developments. I am aware of the strong concerns of residents in those areas and surrounding counties and am equally concerned about these proposals and their impact on residents and communities. Some of my constituents oppose offshore wind farm developments across the eastern seaboard and particularly in Dublin Bay, as there is great concern that the bay will be turned into an industrial landscape.

On 7 February the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, finally published the offshore renewable energy development plan, which had been in draft form since 2010.

We should have a further chance in this House to discuss wind energy. I thank Sinn Féin for giving us this opportunity.

In a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, last February I raised my particular concerns on behalf of constituents in Dublin about the proposed Dublin array. The proposal consists of 145 turbines between 5 km and 10 km off the coast of Dublin and Wicklow. This follows permission given by Fianna Fáil Ministers, the former Deputies Noel Dempsey and Frank Fahey, in the period to 2006 under the archaic Foreshore Act 1933 for 200 turbines off Bray Head and 520 MW of wind turbines off Arklow. According to environmental groups such as Coastal Concern Alliance, by the end of 2006, 1,620 MW had been approved off County Wicklow. The striking aspect of those 99-year leases is that those on the Arklow Bank and Codling Bank were fairly quickly sold on in 2008 by the promoters, Airtricity and Treasury Holdings. They took their profit and got out.

I made a submission to the public consultation on the Dublin array in June 2013 in which I queried the stark environmental and landscape impact of 145 giant wind turbines. Location is key to wind generation. If the wind turbines offshore were at the minimum distance suggested by Coastal Concern Alliance, 22 km or more, there would be no problem. Likewise, if inland locations do not impinge on communities or on a glorious landscape, there is no problem. Most of us support renewable energy, as the promoters of this Bill do. Location is the key and that is what we need to deal with firmly.

I hope that after tonight's debate the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, or the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, who is responsible for the maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill, will come to the House to let us discuss it fully and carry on the discussion that Sinn Féin has started tonight about wind turbines. Let us have a proper and good discussion.

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