John Kelly (Labour)

The Minister of State's final words were that she was not opposing the Bill, which I appreciate. I was getting worried that she was complimenting me so much that she might have been killing me with kindness. One way or another we need to legislate for this issue. The debate focused on whether we were so concerned about meeting our green energy targets that we might disregard the rights of the ordinary citizens. I do not want their rights to be forgotten. All the Senators in the House supported the Bill, for which I thank them. At times the debate turned into a discussion on renewable energy which is not the remit of the Minister of State, for which I apologise. However, as the matters are intertwined it is hard to get away from it.

I reiterate that we do not oppose green energy and are very much in favour of it. Senator Leyden mentioned some wind farm developments in my county. Sliabh Bán is the most beautiful mountain in County Roscommon and a developer wants to destroy it with dozens of wind turbines. There is an attempt to force windmills on the residential community of Dysart - they have no rights. Senator Ó Clochartaigh said that when we discuss green energy and windmills, we are no longer interested in habitats, birds and bats, and that special areas of conservation no longer matter. However, we are banned from cutting turf because of the special area of conservation. A few years ago when I was a member of Roscommon County Council, a developer wanted to build a hotel in Boyle, a town that badly needed one. That development was blocked because of a lesser horseshoe bat and a pine marten.