Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Independent Group in its Bill signals its recognition that the Government must acknowledge the significant role of small and medium-sized enterprises and Ireland's agri-economy. However, I cannot support the objectives of the Bill because of the wide-ranging ways in which it seeks to double down on the folly of a so-called zero carbon future by endorsing the development of a fossil fuel non-proliferation theory. This would place us in a regulatory straitjacket that would further threaten energy security and lead to an unsustainable overreliance on renewables. In that regard, I will focus on wind farms. Many of the proposals for wind farms are completely against the wishes of communities. I have spoken in the Chamber many times about the proposal for Lemanaghan wind farm in County Offaly, in my constituency. It is a heritage and archaeological site. No way should a wind farm be allowed to proceed when the community is clearly against it and it would lead to the destruction of heritage and archaeology. This site is very important in monastic history. I have called for the draft guidelines to be published several times. We must ensure balance. It cannot be all one-way traffic in favour of the companies. Communities need safeguards. I ask again for the draft guidelines to be published as soon as possible. It is unacceptable that they have still not been published and finalised. We already know the Government's controversial Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 will cost €20 billion each year until 2030. I am completely opposed to it.

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