Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator McGahon and Senator Horkan for their worthwhile and heartfelt contributions. I send my condolences regarding their colleague from the Scottish Parliament. I also support Senator Dooley on the vote of sympathy for former Senator, Mr. Paul Kavanagh.

In view of the decision made by An Bord Pleanála to dismantle the Derrybrien wind farm in Galway, who will pay the fines, €17 million of which have been accrued and which are clocking up at the rate of €15,000 per day? The ESB should pay them. I do not see why the taxpayer should have to foot the bill for those fines to Europe. I would like the Government to make a clear statement on who will pay them and if the State would ask the ESB, which as we have seen made nearly half a billion in profits last year, to pay the fine of €17 million that the State has forwarded and paid to Europe.

In that context, we should have a very worthwhile debate on wind generation along the west coast, whether onshore or offshore. We need a clear policy statement with regard to the big players, the ESB, Coillte and so forth, and we are not getting that. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, should come to the House, put it on the record and give a clear statement. We have stopped all exploration along any coast in Ireland, we have an abundance of energy and, going forward, the Government has no choice but to make a clear statement. We are in a hurry as well and we need this to be done as quickly as possible to generate all the energy we can along the west coast.