John Kelly (Labour)

I welcome the recently announced stimulus package. My home town of Ballaghaderreen is to benefit from a new primary care centre. It is much needed in a rural part of the country that has been neglected for many years.

I support Senator Whelan's call for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, to come to the House to discuss the two new wind farm development projects for the midlands region. I am all for job creation, but it should not be at any cost. When one erects over 2,250 wind turbines across four counties, surely people will be affected by them. I have a Bill on the distances wind turbines should be from family homes, Second Stage of which was passed in this House. If the Bill were passed, wind turbines 175 m in height would be 2 km from people's homes. That will not be the case in the circumstances to which I refer.

The main point is that we are not in compliance with the Aarhus Convention. I spoke to representatives of the relevant company in Buswells Hotel this morning and told them that, under the convention, there should be preplanning engagement with local communities. From having spoken to the representatives, I note this has not happened yet, although planning permission has not yet been applied for. All the company has done is have all the farmers sign deals with their solicitors. It is a foregone conclusion that it is an unstoppable train.

The company representatives told me the company is to erect 750 wind turbines, creating 10,000 jobs. Two weeks ago, it was stated in a newspaper that another company in the midlands is to build twice as many turbines and create 54,000 jobs. One must answer the question as to how real the jobs are. It does not make sense.