Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My party leader, Deputy Martin, visited Denmark recently, where he examined the issue of pylons and the damaging effects on local communities of wind turbines in particular. Within the constituency in County Donegal in which I live, I was involved in a campaign in the Glen of Glenties, where a major investment of wind turbines was being developed. Planning permission had been granted by Donegal County Council, the local communities were up in arms and thankfully, An Bord Pleanála overturned the decision of the local authority regarding that particular development.

I recognise, as a scientist, that there is scientific evidence on both sides of the argument. That said, I refer to the overwhelming evidence that has been accepted by An Bord Pleanála both in this case and in respect of a project to put pylons into west County Donegal in the period between 2001 and 2003. The board listened to concerns put forward at the time by eminent scholars and professors, whereby there were close linkages between electricity pylons and childhood leukaemia. Regardless of whether they stand up scientifically and regardless of whether the developers of such projects, be it EirGrid or anyone else, can provide evidence to suggest this may not be the case, they cannot provide concrete evidence that it is not the case. When questions arise in respect of citizens' health, be they children or any other citizens, an independent approach then must be adopted. While I acknowledge that an independent panel has been established, it does not go far enough. The views of local communities have been and are being abandoned in this entire process and the consultation process often is left to the discretion of the developers, which is wrong. Some level of independence must be brought to bear in respect of the development of both pylons and wind farms and there must be some level of independent analysis of the facts.

As for the issue regarding the project with our British counterparts, why should local communities in this country pay the price just because the British authorities wish to meet their Kyoto Protocol targets? That is wrong, and the Minister who was involved in that particular contract should provide clarity and must outline to the people the facts in this regard. While Ireland certainly has obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, focusing attention exclusively on the development of wind turbines is not the approach to take. If he can, the Minister of State might also outline to the House all the funding that has been made available to private investors for wind energy projects nationwide. He might explain the reason each citizen in the country pays approximately €10 per electricity bill towards the development of wind-related projects, which often goes to multi-million euro projects undertaken by wealthy developers. Where is that money going and is it being paid to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland? Members will have noted the amount of money that authority pays to consultants. Where is that money going? Why are all citizens, irrespective of whether they believe in wind as an alternative source, obliged to pay this to their electricity supplier under the public service obligation? Some clarity must be provided in respect of that issue.