Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue I am raising today is one that is close to Senator Kelly's heart, namely, wind farms and windmills. However, I am not requesting him to stay for this issue. I know his part of the country well and many of the windmills currently in the Roscommon-Sligo area are much smaller than what is being proposed for the midlands, which apparently include large parts of County Meath.

This issue has come to a head lately because of a number of projects that seem to have full Government approval. This is the perception with regard to massive windmills that will be erected in the midlands to provide power for the United Kingdom. Overall, one can see there are benefits for the country if it can generate electricity and make money from selling it to another country. In principle, this should be beneficial. However, in reality many of these projects are being undertaken by multinational companies with little connection to this country and very little of the benefit seems to come to the country. There is also very little consultation with residents. The situation regarding consultation is so bad that many residents in the areas where wind farms are proposed currently have no idea of what is going on.

I support the development of wind power and renewable energy, but we must take into account the genuine concerns of residents who have been asked to put up with gigantic wind turbines. One company has told me the turbine will reach 185 m, which is at least twice the height of many of the existing windmills. When Fianna Fáil was in power, it laid the foundations for using clean, renewable, sustainable power sources and that work continues. It is important we continue that work and that we recognise the reality of climate change. The main issue for people is the inexcusable lack of correspondence and consultation with local residents. This is coupled with the perception that the Government is pushing and endorsing wind farms at an early stage. I hope the Minister can contradict that perception. At least, he should set out the Government position on the existing projects.

Another issue is that planning guidelines regarding wind turbines are hopelessly out of date and date from a time when the technology in use now was not available. The technology proposed for these high turbines does not even exist here currently. Residents in the areas of Carlanstown, Oristown, Moynalty, Nobber and Kilbeg parish area have contacted me about their serious concerns, particularly concerns about the Greenwire project. First, there is a lack of information. They are also concerned at the proximity of many of the proposed sites to their homes. Although the proposed sites have not been officially revealed, everybody on the ground seems to know the exact locations.

Another issue the Greenwire and Element Power company must deal with is that this is creating a lack of public confidence in the process. People are also concerned about noise pollution. They want to know what is going on and want to see whether there is a better way of doing this. I understand some counties have, on their own initiative, set out certain areas which are suitable for wind power and I understand those areas are far from population centres and are generally non-controversial. However, in County Meath it is proposed to put many of these wind turbines close to centres of population. I attended a public information meeting hosted by Greenwire in Carlanstown recently and it was clear that most of the people in the area did not even know the meeting was taking place and knew nothing at all about the proposed project.

We must have more consultation. Yesterday, the Fianna Fáil leader, Deputy Martin, raised this issue in the Dáil, but the Taoiseach did not seem to be aware of the lack of consultation. I have written to An Bord Pleanála to ask it to get Element Power to reopen and restart the consultation process so as to inform the public of what is going on. I suggested that a turbine of 185 m be constructed or laid out on the ground to show people what is involved and give them some idea of what is proposed.

I understand it is proposed to locate approximately 50 wind turbines in the general Kilbeg area of County Meath. Pylons are also being routed through the this tiny rural parish, which will become a hub for electricity export and import. That two major projects in one small rural area are going through the strategic infrastructure process should give pause for thought. The current strategy must be reconsidered because the area is not suitable for this purpose. I am aware the process is still at an early stage but the Government must set out its position on the issue. I look forward to the Minister's contribution.