Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. The problem is that the Minister of State is bringing forward guidelines to the effect that planning applications must have regard to local county development plans. I have heard the man sitting beside the Minister of State speak here many times in the past two years about the need to give power back to local councillors. We now have an opportunity not to stop developments but to ensure they are located sensibly, having regard to the provisions and areas zoned in county development plans for the location of wind farms. Those of us who were councillors previously understand the meaning of the term "having regard to"; it means nothing. It means one can read it and then turn over the page. The guidelines must state that it has to be consistent with the locations zoned in the county development plans; in other words, if a wind farm is to be located in any county, be it Cork, Laois, Offaly or wherever, when the planning application is made, An Bord Pleanála, the developers and the county council executive must only consider areas consistent with those areas zoned in the county development plan. That is the key issue. There is no point talking about reform of local government or electing the 940 people and not giving them any powers. There will be 940 capable people elected to do this job, and we should give them the power to do it on behalf of their communities.

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