Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand exactly what the Tánaiste is saying in relation to individual planning applications. In this case we are looking at applications for very sensitive landscape areas. Still to this day, we have not received any report on what happened in November 2020. Despite the fact that a number of State agencies have been involved in it and that it is a cross-Border issue, we have not seen the report that will impact other applications right across the board. There is the possibility of a repeat performance. We have seen a number of incidences across the country. While they are not all related to wind farm developments, bog slides have taken place in Galway, Leitrim and Donegal. Therefore, this is a national issue.

This is an issue that the Government should be aware of and informed about. The Government should be taking action on this. The Tánaiste said that the Government does not have a responsibility in relation to planning, but the Government does have a responsibility to provide guidelines for wind farms. Yet, it has sat on it for ten years and has not provided those guidelines. This is a very serious incident that could be repeated in the future. The Government is sitting and not making sure these reports come forward and have an impact by making sure developments are actually safe for the environment and for the communities they are foisted on. That is vitally important.

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