John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Under the programme for Government and promised legislation, new guidelines were promised for the wind energy industry. Following repeated questions and lobbying, approximately 18 months ago, the then Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, announced the new guidelines had been developed, were going out to public consultation and would then be implemented.

Nearly 18 months later, however, they still have not gone to public consultation. In areas such as Gneevgullia, Ballydesmond and Ballyhorgan in Lixnaw, developments are being granted by An Bord Pleanála although they have been refused by Kerry County Council. If these guidelines were in place and implemented as promised, An Bord Pleanála would not be in a position to grant these wholly inappropriate developments right down on top of people’s houses. With advances in technology, one can put in turbines 150 m high, suitable to be located in low-lying flatland areas on top of people’s houses. There is a place for wind farms on high land but not down on top of people’s houses. The people in the areas in question are up in arms. Those guidelines were promised but are not in place when they should be.

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