Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the question has been asked as to when the guidelines for wind farms will be published, which we last had in 2006, but I have an addendum in that regard. When our neighbours across the water sneeze, we get a cold. Not many years ago, when an issue arose about planning for wind farms in my area in north Cork, there was a major campaign at the same time in Britain to call a halt to the building of wind farms on land. That campaign was successful because, first, an abundance of wind farms constructed had been constructed and, second, in terms of supply to the grid, the surplus was such that some wind farm owners had to be paid money to turn them off. My question is for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. In providing the guidelines, will a solution be provided in respect of a cap on the number of wind farms being granted planning permission? That would ensure the fears of other communities could be allayed in respect of pending planning applications.

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