In 2013, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin accused the then-Fine Gael government of failing to consult with residents over large-scale wind farm projects, arguing that this caused “considerable anxiety and concern” among communities.
Speaking to then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil on June 19th 2013, the Fianna Fáil leader said that he was generally supportive of wind energy, but claimed there was “a fundamental absence of transparency” around the developments.
“There is an absence of consultation with local residents and communities,” he said.
“Above all, there is an absence of a legislative framework to deal with the step change in technology and scale of development.”
Martin said proposed wind farms were “causing considerable anxiety and concern among communities” due to their scale. He noted that turbine heights were increasing from 50 to 60 metres to as much as 180 metres, with one midlands plan proposing up to 700 turbines.
“In east Cork, for example, more than 300 houses are in the midst of industrial wind turbines,” he continued. “To give people a sense of the scale, the proposed turbines would be twice the size of the Elysian.”
He cited concerns about health impacts, noise, shadow flicker, loss of residential amenity and visual impact, and referenced a letter to east Cork residents from Professor Alun Evans, who warned: “Quite simply your life will be ruined if this goes ahead.”
Martin argued that 2006 wind energy planning guidelines were “hopelessly out of date” and criticised a government review process that allowed only two weeks for public submissions.
“When there is an absence of consultation and transparency and a lack of acknowledgement of the genuine concerns of moderate people, the Taoiseach is looking for trouble,” he said.
“He is out of touch on this issue and quickly needs to get in touch with it and provide a framework that at least protects the health of residents.”
Since entering government in 2020, Martin’s party has overseen the same 2006 guidelines remaining in force. In October 2024, then-Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien confirmed an update was expected by the first quarter of 2025, but as of June 2025 Housing Minister James Browne said the review was still underway.
Concerns over consultation remain. As reported by the Irish Independent last month, residents in Bruff, Co Limerick, objected to a proposed 17-turbine wind farm, with structures of up to 160 metres in height planned just hundreds of metres from homes, schools and heritage sites.
Marie Claire, a local resident, told the paper they only learned of the plans through the media in November.
“There was no consultation at that point, just a headline about 17 turbines,” she said.
“They gave us no real information.”