John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I read an article in the Irish Examineryesterday which stated that the executive of Cork County Council has warned local authority members not to engage in any discussion about wind farm developments that are proposed for the country of Cork because the wind farm developers have threatened to sue Cork County Council if there is debate on them once they apply for planning permission. We are moving from a situation where there is no engagement with local communities and there is no proper consultation to one where we are stifling debate on the future of wind farms. These wind farm developers are using bully-boy tactics because they have the money to do so. It is a disgrace. They are not recognising the considerable resistance by people to wind farm developments. The local authority members are elected by the people to express their views on behalf of the people. I only want to put it on the record of the House that it is bully-boy tactics to stop resistance to wind farms.