John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Whelan's call for a moratorium on wind farm developments until there is proper engagement on the issue. I am sick and tired of listening to the spin of the Irish wind energy sector, including the suggestion of 77,000 jobs. The reality is quite different. In recent weeks in my county, we saw that a couple had to leave their home because of the noise of wind turbines next door. I thank RTE, the Irish Independent and many other media outlets for covering this issue. Today, after four years, the company in question finally decided to sit down with the people affected to try to resolve the issue.

We know that many sweet deals have been done with farmers in the dark of night. We also know there is no social dividend for the people affected by living beside wind turbines. Next June, in this city, there will be another conference packed with people in favour of wind energy who make many millions of euro out of it. They will invite the Taoiseach and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and spin it to them that wind energy is the way forward. The people who are affected have no voice. Nobody is listening to them. We really need to sit down with them and listen to them. The Minister needs to come to this House to debate the issue after Easter. We called for this months ago. It is now very important that we have it immediately after Easter.