Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I understand that communities in the area, particularly Gaeltacht communities, have been very concerned. I understand it is at a very early stage of the planning application process. It is critical the communities are listened to and involved and there is real engagement. Nothing is certain in the planning system. An Bord Pleanála is an independent agency. We will have to judge any application on its merits. Earlier this week, I was pleased to launch further updated initiatives on how we are looking to engage communities in the renewable revolution that is taking place, for example by looking for direct ownership of new renewable projects and significant advances in terms of supports, facilities or benefits for local communities. We are also looking for engagement with local communities in a way that is fair and in line with the Aarhus Convention which, as the Deputy has said, is a critical part of European environmental legal structures.

Critical in this is the recent public consultation in which EirGrid has been engaged. I say this particularly for Donegal because it has recognised that areas such as Donegal have seen significant development compared to other parts of the country. It happens to be an area with the strongest wind resource and this may explain it. There is a real understanding that grid policy and renewables development policy go together. I am sure An Bord Pleanála will keep a very close eye on the conclusion of the consultation process, when EirGrid will set out some of the key questions as to where will we benefit from what we have, which is a huge economic resource. Included in this is the potential to bring industrial or other employment opportunities close to the wind rather than always shipping it over long distances. We must look at the grid as well as the wind turbines themselves. This is a key part of the process.

The Deputy is right that the wind energy guidelines have been in consideration since 2013 and there has been a real difficulty in getting final agreement on the relevant measures to be put in place, such as sound and other systems. Neighbouring countries have been able to do this but we have not been able to get agreement. We have to resolve this for local communities and developers so we do not go back to what Deputy Doherty referred to earlier - a process that is so long and drawn out that it frustrates everyone. People do not want to end up in court with the costs and all the problems it involves.

We are starting to go offshore and this has huge potential in particular for Donegal because the north-western waters are significant. We will still have onshore development of renewable energy because it gives us real economic opportunities. However, it has to be done in line with community interests and environmental protection. We commit as a Government to making sure this is the case.

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