Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 November 2020

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As you well know, a Chathaoirligh, there is widespread support for the decarbonisation of electricity generation, but in doing so we must be very careful and understand the impact that is having on many communities throughout the country. The development of onshore wind turbines is affecting a number of communities in my constituency. Their big concern is that, as of yet, the revised wind energy development guidelines have not been published. They are due to be published later this year. However, there are currently developments before the local authorities based on the old guidelines. The old guidelines relate to the capture of wind when turbines were much smaller. Many of the turbines now being proposed for installation throughout the country are 170 m or perhaps greater than that in height. That kind of infrastructure is having a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the area. There is a greater possibility for noise and shadow flicker spreading over a much wider area. The real concern in these communities is that existing applications are being assessed under guidelines that are out of date. Their request to us is to put a block on the applications that are currently in train and that planning applications would be stalled in order to allow for the new guidelines to be introduced. I call on the Deputy Leader to try to arrange a debate here, without delay, with the appropriate Minister from a planning perspective and a climate change perspective. While we all share in wanting decarbonisation to take place for the benefit of the environment, we should ensure that we do not put an undue burden on the many people who will be impacted.

We also need to look at how quickly we can move wind turbines offshore. It is well recognised now that the best quality wind can be captured offshore and as a small island we have no shortage of oceans around us. We need to lead the way in the capture of offshore wind energy. It is the right thing to do for the environment but also for communities who are currently under pressure in that regard.

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