Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I was listening to the Minister when he delivered his speech earlier. I was in the Chair and I listened to him and heard what he said. The problem is that the Government has given up on ordinary families, totally and absolutely. The multinationals and oil companies are gouging the people. Every party in this House voted for carbon tax. Sinn Féin wanted more carbon tax a few years ago. The Rural Independent Group was the only group to oppose it. The Government then gives the nod to come in here.

I want to speak about part of the country this evening, Grange in Ardmore, the lovely round tower in Ardmore and Scart mountain and those areas where gigantic wind turbines are going up now. The round tower in Ardmore is 96 ft, the Spire in Dublin is 390 ft and these gigantic 605 ft tall wind turbines with a huge axis from the radius are being put up and the locals are just cast aside. It goes straight to An Bord Pleanála. The Government has no respect for ordinary people. That is what is wrong. It is all about big business, which has the Government in its pockets.

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