Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps they are not extreme because there are other cases. Decisions were taken in the past that were not in the best interests of communities but in our desire to reflect the concerns of those affected, we should not undermine the potential of onshore wind energy, which will play an important role in our climate change agenda.

Furthermore, the Bill contains provisions which would leave Ireland open to huge legal liabilities. For example, section 2 mandates that Ireland may not export wind energy until such time as Ireland is entirely self-sufficient in energy consumption. This is an entirely incorrect understanding of the global energy market, and in particular, of the Integrated Single Electricity Market, I-SEM, from which Irish consumers can only benefit significantly. Climate change poses a threat to humanity, with Ireland being no exception. As a coastal nation with a huge economic reliance on our abundant natural resources, we are exposed to climatic shifts, such as increased storms, increased or changed precipitation patterns, droughts, and coastal erosion. As a nation with a proud record on the international stage, we must set an example for other nations to move toward a cleaner and greener mode of living. Wind energy, while not a fix-all, will, and should, play a role in this. As politicians, we must do the right thing and support wind energy development, where it is appropriate and does not infringe on our people. There is an element of a trade-off; it is not one or the other. We must find an integrated way for wind energy projects to live in harmony with people who reside in rural areas based on the broadest and deepest level of consultation. Mistakes were made in the past and we must be careful not to rush to judgment in a way that could be perceived as populist and driven by a soundbite suggesting that one party or grouping or one side of the House or the other has all the answers to this problem. The best way forward is the consultative forum that has been established.

We are all aware of the importance of renewable energy and its global backdrop. The EU has set 2020 renewable energy targets for each member state. Ireland is obliged to meet the target of 16% for all energy generated from renewable sources by 2020. This renewables target is to be met by 40% from electricity, 12% from heat and 10% from transport. We are falling way behind on heat and transport. With the world population projected to be more than 9 billion by 2050, the demand for remaining fossil fuels can only intensify, driving oil and gas prices skywards.

This, married with growing geopolitical instability, is threatening energy security. Ireland is not fully self-sufficient and we are excessively dependent on energy imports to power homes and businesses. It is imperative that we plot a course towards carbon-neutral self-sufficiency to meet the emerging energy supply challenges. A lack of engagement with communities has, unfortunately, been all too common in renewable energy project development and this has caused widespread distress and inconvenienced many communities. That was the catalyst for the Deputy in bringing forward the Bill. Strong community support must be integral to further renewable energy project development. Until now, community benefit schemes have primarily taken the form of amenity payments such as donations to a local GAA centre or other community related activities. This has worked well for some communities, but there are others for which it is not an attractive option. We must look for new and different ways for communities to benefit from local energy project development.

In other jurisdictions such as Denmark a minimum number of shares must be offered on a preferential basis to the local community. Furthermore, in Scotland community development of renewable energy projects, whereby a community sets up and owns a renewable energy project, enjoys far greater logistical and financial support. Community developments have the added benefit of involving citizens more fully in the production of energy. For that reason we must more broadly engage the community.

We want to replace outdated wind energy project planning guidelines with new guidelines to be put on a statutory footing. This must be done through a full public consultation process, as initiated for the draft guidelines. As I stated, my party will engage fully with in process and bring forward its own ideas on how a community can benefit from these developments in a way that will address some of the concerns and ensure we do not eliminate the potential for the development of onshore energy projects through the wind energy sector. We believe in the commissioning of a full economic review of wind energy, its impact on energy prices and the long-term sustainability of the sector in supplying the national grid. We want to ensure all county development plans will involve a wind energy strategy being submitted for public consultation in advance of any wind turbine construction. We also want to introduce a new community share options scheme for proposed wind farms whereby the local community must be given the option of purchasing a minimum of 20% of the shares, creating a sustainable wealth source for it. We also want to introduce a new compensation provision for properties with a decreased property value as a result of the construction of wind turbines. I will expand on this in our submission.

The party would introduce new noise and shadow flicker restrictions, reflecting international best practice, and examine the potential for increasing the number of offshore wind farms in Ireland and mapping areas where such a development could take place. This will require support from the State. From my discussions with those involved in the offshore wind energy sector, the greatest potential lies off the western seaboard, but there are very challenging conditions that must be addressed through support schemes. We must consider the same support we see for the development of tidal and wave energy technologies. In the first instance, we must support investment in that area.

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