Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)

I am disappointed that more has not been done in terms of protecting the rights of communities. We are awaiting revised guidelines. The current guidelines give too much leeway to wind energy companies, which do not respect many communities. I commend everyone involved in the campaign relating to Mongan bog, which is a heritage site in my constituency of Offaly. This heritage site has links to the monastic site Clonmacnoise in County Offaly. A planned wind farm there is just ludicrous.

The Minister of State mentioned a focused review, which I welcome. He also mentioned infrasound and shadow flicker, in respect of which there are significant issues. Many people have contacted me telling me that they just cannot bear the sound. Court cases have been taken regarding those issues. I hope that the revised guidelines are not published for the sake of ticking a box but do address the genuine and legitimate concerns of communities and the infrasound issue.

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