Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise an issue of serious concern to residents in County Mayo, in particular in the Lacken and Ballycastle area. It relates to a proposed wind farm development. In Mayo, we have seen a lot of investment in wind energy and turbines. It is something I support in a structured and considered way. The challenge we have at the moment, however, is that we do not have a clear wind energy strategy published by Mayo County Council. leading to a less considered and strategic approach to different developments. There is a proposal being made by Constant Energy to create a wind farm development of 16 turbines in Tirawley. It has gone to An Coimisiún Pleanála for 16 turbines. It is in a special area of conservation with incredible neolithic history and it interacts with the Céide Fields system. It is a neolithic site. I ask that we have proper and clear guidelines for these proposed wind farm developments. This is a community where they have had challenges trying to get planning permission for houses for people from the area living in the area, yet now there is a proposal going into An Coimisiún Pleanála for 16 turbines. For them, it is totally unpalatable and unacceptable. I highlight the need for Mayo County Council to publish the wind energy strategy and to protect areas like Lacken and Ballycastle to make sure that the areas of scenic beauty, which are world famous, are protected, that the ecological system and the neolithic heritage of the site are protected, and that we have clarity for communities like those in Lacken and Ballycastle. I thank Councillor Jarlath Munnelly, with whom I am working and liaising on this to make sure that the residents and the community are heard and that there is a clear strategy by Mayo County Council to end the vacuum of decision-making and certainty for communities.