John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Ó Domhnaill for highlighting my Wind Turbines Bill again. Everything he says is accurate in that any wind farm developer who wants to proceed with a wind farm will get the support of the county councils because it is Government policy, and that is the simple reality. Then it is down to An Bord Pleanála as people's last hope of overturning a decision. It is clear from the Donegal decision this week that An Bord Pleanála wants legislation on minimum distances put in place and does not want to adjudicate in such situations. Everything in my Bill would go along with what An Bord Pleanála wants. I am very disappointed the Government is not supporting the Bill or even floating it in Dáil Éireann after it has passed all Stages in the Seanad with full, cross-party support. Senator Keane has told us we have a conference on wind energy on 21 June. I am well aware of it and there will be a big anti-wind farm lobby there to highlight what people are not listening to and what many other Senators and I raise regularly in this House. Nobody is listening to it so I hope they will listen on 21 June.

No one particular person admitted to the recent mistakes made in the compilation of the exam papers. I hope in the marking system that will apply later that those mistakes will be taken into account.

Like many others I regret that the respite care grant cuts Senator Cullinane mentioned had to happen. I have always campaigned on behalf of carers. We should not be touching them. We cannot put a value on what carers do for the country. I am glad to see in today's newspaper that common sense has prevailed and the mobility allowance is still in place. The sooner it is replaced by something on a long-term basis, the better, and I appreciate that move.