The impact of wind turbines on people across the country is “unforgivable” and is driving division among communities, the Dáil has heard.
Independent Laois TD Brian Stanley has put forward a Bill which aims to introduce limits on the exportation of product generated from wind turbines, to protect nearby homes from noise and shadow flicker by providing minimum set back distances, and to allow access to public consultative processes.
The legislation, first introduced last May, was debated at second stage on Thursday. Mr Stanley says he hopes it will receive cross-party support, including from his former party Sinn Fein.
Deputy Stanley said it was “disrespectful” that neither the Minister for the Environment nor the Minister for Planning and Local Government turned up for the debate.
“The absence of guidelines or regulations for wind turbines is absolutely scandalous,” Deputy Stanley said. “This Bill is not about stopping wind turbines. It’s about having the planning system in place for the regime.”
The TD said that both those in government and in opposition acknowledged that the current 2006 guidelines are “outdated” and have been outdated for “more than a decade and a half.”
Mr Stanley said that the Bill was about putting a proper planning framework in place, adding that since 2006, the scale and size of turbines had increased, with counties Laois and Offaly particularly impacted.
“Four governments have come and gone [since the 2006 guidelines came into force]. We’re on the fifth government. Six ministers have come and gone, and still nothing. But yet we see these enormous industrial wind-farms springing up, particularly in the Midlands.”
Mr Stanley said it was a “scandal” that Ireland continues to rely on outdated, 2006 legal guidance.
“It’s about having wind turbines in the right place and at the right scale,” he told the debate, adding there had been “paralysis” in government buildings regarding the issue.
When the guidelines were first introduced, wind turbines were mostly 30-35 metres in height, the TD claimed.
“They are now multiples of that, reaching 185 metres in height. Some are located only metres from rural homes.
“They’re mainly owned and directed by large, foreign investment funds who are riding roughshod over local communities. Where they meet opposition, they will often bribe, or try and bribe, a section of the community, and use their clout to browbeat the rest of the community.”
Stanley said that developers were taking advantage of the absence of regulations or even guidelines, adding: “They behave as if it’s the gold-rush, and they grab the opportunity. Of course they’re going to do that.”
Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice told the debate on the Private Members’s Wind Turbine Regulation Bill that people are “in trouble” due to the development of wind farms,
“The facts are that, unfortunately [… ] vultures come to an area. Some people are going to make money, because they’re offered €30,000 or €40,000 for the turbine, and undoubtedly people will accept it. But the consequences of what it’s doing to communities around the country in this country is unforgivable. I see in all parts of county Roscommon, where there are 11 different applications at the moment, we get calls from all over the country.”
“What is it doing? Communities that work together, put football pitches together, help elderly people together […] it’s splitting them down the middle. That’s the fact of what’s going on in every community in this country,” Mr Fitzmaurice said.
Deputy Fitzmaurice said he had listened to repeated promises of updated guidelines on wind turbines.
“Let no-one tell me that the Bill that Brian Stanley put in, I don’t know how many years ago that he put it in, that it couldn’t have been looked at since.”
“What we’ll do now again is we’ll say, ‘Sure, we’ll have another look at it.’ The facts are, and I think people should understand this, the commitment isn’t in this Dail to make sure that wind turbines are far away enough from your house. I believe in turbines off-shore, 100 per cent. I believe there’s a huge opportunity.”
The TD said that communities were being forced into having to unite as groups to put in objections to projects.
“With the way that An Bord Pleanála are granting these wind farms, the only other solution then is try and raise money to try and fight it in the courts,” he said. “We’re supposed to be here to listen to the people and to support the people. But instead of that, we’ll kick the ball down the road another bit. And sure, lookit, something else will crop up then, and we’ll kick it down another bit.”
Mr Fitzmaurice said there was a separate situation developing, which he said was happening in parts of Roscommon. People who had given up their bog sites to An Bord Pleanála years ago were now seeing “massive areas of bog” being dug up in order to put up turbines on the land.
“They don’t want to be talking about how this was all turf or bog at one time. Oh no – we’re the clean, green company now. The amount of turbines that they are putting up around the country is phenomenal. And I see in parts of Roscommon, some of the crowds that put [the turbines] up, this is like turning money.”
“I support the Bill,” Fitzmaurice said, adding: “The fight will have to go on. In my opinion, the [political] commitment isn’t there to resolve this issue.”
‘COMMUNITIES BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF’
Carol Nolan TD said that there are currently no protections for communities in her own county of Offaly and neighbouring Laois.
“It’s very unfair. Communities have no say whatsoever, and these absolute monstrosity of structures are imposed on them,” said Nolan.
She said there were serious health concerns and effects from infrasound. Nolan said that people were not fools, and that from extensive engagement with communities, people were being offered “a tick the box exercise” branded as consultation.
It’s my firm belief that issues such as this commands cross-party support. Everyone working together regardless of political allegiances.”
Nolan said she was both frustrated and disillusioned by the lack of action on the issue, adding that there were only draft guidelines in place. The current regulation stems from 2006.
“There are loopholes and there are companies running amok. They are absolutely taking advantage of communities. Now, are we here to serve those corporate entities who profiteer, or are we here to serve our communities?” the TD said.
She said that people didn’t want sympathy, but action and protections.
“Again, it’s rural communities being treated so unfairly by [a] government that’s not listening,” she said. “Why can’t you bring in legislation to protect communities? It could be done quickly if the political will was there.”
According to the Rural TD, the effects have been widespread. She said that a community near her were “suffering terribly” from the health effects of turbines very close to their homes, while farmers in North Offaly had reported having to move livestock away from the turbines.
“All of those communities can’t be wrong, and we need solid action […] there are no protections, and their rights are being trampled on.”
Nolan said that developments should be halted until the 2006 wind energy guidelines are updated.
“Why are we just letting these companies trample over communities?” she asked.