John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Quinn's point that governments deserve to be applauded wherever they make a U-turn on decisions that are fundamentally wrong. The imposition of pylons and wind farms on ordinary people in rural Ireland in particular has been continually raised in this House. It was interesting to read recent media reports which suggest that the EU plans to row back significantly on our green energy targets.

This means the pressure is off the Government. If targets are being imposed, the Government can make its own decisions on this matter. In recent weeks, we have called for a review of renewable energy policy and sought a debate in this House on the matter. A deadline of 21 February has been set for the making of submissions to the Department and to the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, regarding the proximity of wind turbines to family homes. It is important for this issue to be debated in this House before 21 February because of what the EU is now proposing. This is an opportune time for the Government to take a serious look at the Wind Turbines Bill 2012, which I have proposed. All of the setback distances set out in that Bill are equivalent to those set out in An Bord Pleanála's decision in the Cloghan case. It is time for the Government to look at this matter seriously, rather than listening to departmental officials who say that if my Bill is implemented it will not be possible for the targets that have been set to be achieved. In any event, it looks likely that those targets will be rowed back on. I call on the Leader to try to organise a debate in this House before 21 February.