Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to prioritise new wind farm guidelines. Wind is important and it is important we are able to utilise it as part of the solution to moving to cleaner energy. Last week I got a reply to a parliamentary question on it. The reply from the Minister stated that the 2006 guidelines remain in force and that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently undertaking a focus review of the 2006 wind energy guidelines and engaging on all aspects of it with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. That is the same reply I got 12 years ago. This is not good enough. Why is there no movement on it? Is it deliberate? Many people are coming to the conclusion that this is deliberate in order to allow the large investors and large corporations to be able to put these in, particularly in the midlands, and then bring in perhaps weak guidelines after that. It is a case of bolting the door when the horse has gone. Meanwhile, and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will attest to this, huge wind turbines are planned in south and north Laois and north Kilkenny, without any proper guidelines, never mind regulations. There are no community obligations-----

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