Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an deis a thabhairt dom an t-ábhar an-tábhachtach seo a ardú ag tús suí an tSeanaid inniu.

I am pleased to be presented with the opportunity to raise this issue in the Seanad today. The people of north Meath, and I presume people all across the country, are hopping mad with the Government because left, right and centre, planning permissions are being submitted, and in some cases approved, that were based on outdated guidelines. It was previous Ministers who appeared before us in this House that coined the term "outdated guidelines". Such a system is completely wrong. I thought we had moved away from that type of planning system.

An Bord Pleanála has received a planning application for six turbines to be located in Nobber, County Meath which has already been refused by Meath County Council. An application has also been submitted, under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, and refers to Element Power's proposal for across north Meath. Due to the Government's delay in issuing guidelines these firms appear to be trying to take advantage of the gap generated. The firms have used outdated guidelines but the Government appears to be facilitating them which is completely wrong. It is about time the Government issued new guidelines which are acceptable to the majority of people and acceptable to people who would otherwise have to put up with these monstrosities being located beside them.

We are embarking on a whole new ballgame because supersized turbines have not been seen in this country before. The public do not accept the situation. The Government should say "No", stop the planning applications - it is within the power of the Minister to stop these applications - and say it is thinking about this matter. We cannot have a blot on the landscape and have turbines located in some of the nicest and potentially lucrative tourism areas without looking at what guidelines, rules and regulations are being set down. The Minister has a choice - either we have a proper planning system for turbines or we do not.