Coveney Crticies Planning for Offshore Wind Farms

Cork South Central TD and Fine Gael Energy Spokesperson Simon Coveney accused the Government at being "all at sea" on the crucial issue of planning legislation for offshore wind projects.

"The planning process as it currently exists is entirely inadequate, for what are major projects to construct enormous turbines within clear sight of the Irish coastline, and the Government appears to have no plan to reform it. For example, the project which has been approved for construction at the Codling Bank off Bray Head consists of over 220 turbines, each of a height of 160m, 12km from the coastline. Each of these turbines will be 160m, almost three times the height of Liberty Hall.

"This project, like all others in Ireland, was approved under the Foreshore Act 1933, an outdated piece of legislation which allows the Minister to grant leases for construction in Irish coastal waters with no involvement by local communities or local authorities, and no right of appeal.

"The Government is all at sea on bringing amending legislation which would provide an urgently-needed proper planning process for these projects. When I asked the Tánaiste on 22nd May for an update on the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill she did not have a date for it coming before the House, and did not even know what Department had responsibility for it. When I asked her the same question in the Dáil today, she said that there has been absolutely no progress and the same confusion reigns.

"Offshore wind is an area in which Ireland has an incredible natural advantage, and the speedy development of these projects is crucial if we are going to be able to meet our emissions targets. However, the Minister granting licences willy-nilly - as he can do under the current legislation - is a recipe for building poor projects and creating deep bitterness and opposition in coastal communities all along the east coast. It is time for the Government to get its act together before this becomes a major issue among communities, and projects begin to experience serious delays.

"Unless there is an absolute guarantee from the Government before the summer break as to when the amending legislation will be brought, Fine Gael will be bringing its own proposals in the autumn."

Wind Energy is a recognized way of reducing our CO2 emissions yet our Government won't update the legislation needed for Ireland to reach its energy commitments!

Well done Simon for raising this issue!