A government councillor in Cork has opposed the approval of a windfarm on the rim of the Gougane Barra, saying that the valley should instead be made a world heritage site.
The comments came after An Bord Pléanála’s decision earlier this year to approve a large windfarm near the historic and scenic valley – a move which many local residents and councillors have strongly objected to.
As a result, local hotel owner Neil Lucey has launched a legal defence fund to challenge the decision in court, which Gript interviewed him about last week.
Fine Gael Cllr. Michael Paul Murtagh, who previously described the decision as “absolutely ridiculous,” spoke to Gript this week in an exclusive interview about the developments.
“For me, Gougane Barra should be a world heritage site if it’s not already,” he said.
“The look of the place should be preserved – it’s as simple as that.”
The councillor described the location as “very historical” and “hugely significant” to people’s faith due to the famous Christian chapel there, adding that he himself had been married in the valley.
“I don’t like to be too over the top with religion, but I would have faith personally,” he said.
“I got married in Gougane Barra myself, so my heart is there. I’ve been going down there since I was very young, so I’d be very familiar with the place and I have a special grá for it, you know? I just don’t think that there should be anything ruining the place.”
The councillor added that it was the height of the proposed turbines that particularly worried him, as they are reportedly set to be taller than the Dublin Spire.
“It’s the height of the turbines that I’m concerned about,” he said.
“It’s not the turbines themselves – I’m fond of turbines. But Gougane Barra is different. And I don’t think the turbines have to be that high.”
According to a local business owner interviewed by Gript, the turbines will be visible from most parts of the valley.
“They’re going a over the top with it, like we always seem to do [with green policies],” said Murtagh.
“We seem to flip flop from one extreme to the other, you know? We need to find a happy medium.”
The councillor added that while he agreed with many green policies, many of them were set up in a punitive way that makes it hard for ordinary people to go along with.
“You have to manage them in a way that works with human nature,” he said. “And that’s the bit that’s not being managed properly.”
There was some controversy over the fact that the local county council had advised against the decision, and yet An Bord Pléanala approved it anyway, leading local hotel owner Neil Lucey to tell Gript he believed it had damaged democracy.
When asked his thoughts on this view, Murtagh replied: “Obviously, I absolutely believe that our democracy should be stronger.”
“The voice of the people should be funnelled through councillors, and then councillors send it up the chain,” he said.
“But it’s glaringly obvious to me that councillor’s positions are being eroded constantly. You’re not in a very strong position as a councillor as far as how much the law backs you up.
“If the local government was functioning as it should be, and councillors had the power they should, and it wasn’t eroded like it has been, the community would feel better about it.”
He added that “[Ultimately] the public are in charge. And they should be, because that’s what democracy actually is.”
Many other councillors spoke out against the decision when it was first made, as reported by the Southern Star back in February.
Fianna Fáil Cllr. Gobnait Moynihan, Cllr. Deirdre Kelly, Cllr. Patrick Gerard Murphy, Cllr. Michael Cllr. Looney, and Cllr. Gillian Coughlan all slammed thee proposal.
Similarly, in addition to Fine Gael Cllr. Michael Paul Murtagh, his party colleague Cllr. Karen Coakley also voiced her disapproval.
The plan even drew fire from Social Democrat Cllr. Ross O’Connell and Independent Cllr. Alan Coleman.