Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

In saying this is a commercial matter, what we as a State must think about is whether this is the best use of State land. During the discussions we have had in the last two and half years, since the start of this term and concerning the climate Act, it has become absolutely clear that when we have climate action we must also have biodiversity action. These are essentially two heads of the same coin and we should not have one without the other. While a wind farm on peatland may reduce emissions from an energy efficiency perspective, we must look at whether the impact of this will be a loss when we consider biodiversity and carbon sequestration within peatland itself. There is clear evidence in this regard. A five-year study has been conducted on this subject and has clearly shown that rewetting drained bogs reduces carbon emissions, establishes optimum conditions for sequestration and sets the site for a climate-cooling trajectory. The question for us, therefore, is whether this project is the best use of State land. I do not believe it is. We do need wind farms, but they need to be in the correct places. I would like to hear the Minister's opinion on this point.

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