John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I had not intended to speak about wind energy until Senator Cáit Keane raised the issue. I would welcome any discussion with the Irish Wind Energy Association on how it will move forward with the delivery of wind energy here as it appears to be all hot air rather than wind. When the project in the midlands was first announced - I have the newspaper clippings to prove it - Eddie O'Connor announced 66,000 jobs. When the sod was turned two weeks ago the number of jobs was reduced to 55,000 and today I note the number is down to 30,000. I doubt very much if 10,000 jobs will be created through this project. I would welcome an explanation from the Irish Wind Energy Association on how the proposed number of jobs has decreased from 66,000 jobs down to 30,000 shortly after turning the sod on the project. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, told me and said on "Morning Ireland" that he does not envisage the wind turbines being at every crossroads in the country. However, unless minimum distances are introduced by way of a Bill that I have brought forward or a Bill that Deputy Willie Penrose has brought forward in the other House, they will be located at all crossroads throughout the country. As we speak the minimum distance that applies is 500 m.

The Irish Wind Energy Association is saying that if there are any changes, it will be possible to produce only 4% of the target. It is a clear indication that we will see windmills at every crossroads in the country. The UK is moving away from wind energy because electricity bills have increased with its introduction. They will turn to this country and ask us to destroy our landscape to provide electricity for them at cheaper prices. We need a substantial debate on wind energy before the entire landscape is destroyed.