Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Dead right, but in the 1970s or 1980s there was never the same level of campaigning on fossil fuels. In fact, I can recall headlines in the 1970s and 1980s that we had struck oil as if it was a great panacea or achievement. We now know fossil fuels have been destroying the planet and have created an existential threat to the very survival of humankind. Yet, there was never the same agitation about that as there is about other aspects of renewables or even nuclear power. My problem with nuclear power is what to do with the waste. Over a 100-year lifespan, it has not been anywhere near as damaging as fossil fuels have been, not just in terms of climate but human health, what we breathe in, air quality and so on.

The move to renewables in Ireland has been very successful and effective in terms of the big picture and has led to a healthier atmosphere while also addressing the existential issue of climate change. It is an existential issue for us as humans and we should not understate that. We now have about 4.8 GW of onshore wind. We are a world leader in the levels of installed wind energy capacity per capita, as well as in the integration of variable renewable electricity onto the grid. Significant progress was made last year on a major programme to accelerate offshore and onshore renewable energy. The future is offshore energy. We had the first auction, the offshore renewable electricity support scheme, in May last year. A further round of auctions is due later this year. There will be a phased approach to offshore wind development. A task force has been established to drive that delivery.

I do not believe we should stall the development of onshore energy, but in time offshore will overtake onshore energy provision. The Deputy is correct on the guidelines. I acknowledge that the review has been ongoing for a number of years. It will address a number of key aspects, including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. The aim of the review is to strike an appropriate balance between the concerns of local communities while maintaining Ireland's ability to provide investment certainty. That includes bogland, biodiversity and walking areas. There are already requirements in terms of planning permissions around applications for wind farms and so on.

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