Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach inniú chun an t-ábhar tábhactach seo a phlé. Wind energy has garnered public attention over the past number of months and years. This is not least due to the implications for local communities when large wind turbine enterprises are developed. Wind energy has immense potential to provide a major renewable, environmentally friendly energy source in Ireland. It is an integral part of the target to achieve 40% of electricity from renewable resources by 2020. There are examples, not least in the constituency in which I live in Donegal, of wind farms being developed or planning applications pending and it is giving rise to genuine local concerns. The 2006 guidelines, to which the Minister of State referred, and the submissions made as a result of the public call in January must be reflected upon. The guidelines must be changed forthwith.

More than 1,100 turbines are in operation in Ireland. The vast majority, on 176 wind farms, are onshore and only seven are located offshore in the Arklow Bay area. Senator Kelly brought a well-constructed Bill before the House last year. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to contribute because I was not in the House on that day. We need clear and concise guidelines to deal with public disquiet, particularly in light of the great potential and the exploitation by multinational companies in respect of development of wind farms in the State. We know what is happening in the midlands, with massive companies with huge resources coming in. We welcome the development of renewable energy and we know that technology has moved substantially forward. Boston College and other third level institutions have compiled detailed analysis and technical information showing that floating platforms can be used so that wind turbines can be developed at sea at a much lower cost than that argued by the wind companies.

Concerns are coming from local communities and these must be borne in mind. I have received a large volume of representations from people in the constituency in which I live and other parts of country. Setback distances deals predominantly with the noise issue and genuine health concerns. There is medical evidence to suggest there are genuine health concerns that must be addressed. Setback distances of at least 1 km from any occupied dwelling and, thereafter, further setback distances according to the height of the turbines must be set in legislation in order to alleviate concerns raised by genuine groups and members of the public. The Bill introduced by Senator Kelly was supported but it seems to be sitting in the Department of the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources gathering dust. Why is the Bill not being supported by the Government and brought forward before the House so that we can have an input into the debate? We can make amendments and work constructively to bring about the change required.

Since the original guidelines were drafted in 2006, much has changed. We know about the exploitation of the potential of wind energy by multinationals and the money they bring. Very often, local authorities, the Government and the Department listen to the large multinationals instead of the communities. That happened in the constituency in which I live and it is not right.

The height of wind turbines has increased threefold. Other issues are the shadow flicker nuisance, the impact on the local economy in terms of tourism dependent enterprises, the noise and its effect on health and the reduction in the residential property values for properties in close proximity to the turbines. One submission made to the Department is for setback distances to be based on the height of the turbine. If the turbine is between 49 m and 99 m, the minimum distance should be 1 km. Where turbines are higher than 99 m but do not exceed 149 m, the distance should be 1.5 km setback from any dwelling house.