‘Shocking’ - Offaly residents ‘not being listened to’ on wind farm concerns

People in Offaly are “not being listened to” when it comes to their concerns about wind farms, the Dáil has heard.

Independent TD Carol Nolan raised the issue during a recent debate on the Electricity Supply Amendment Bill.

Deputy Nolan said: “I have major concerns around the persistence of moving towards such levels of so-called renewable energy for our grid.

“I am not at all convinced that the economic, environmental or infrastructural arguments relating to wind energy, for example, are as credible as people think, and I am extremely concerned about the lack of protections for many communities throughout the State.”

She went on to outline the concerns of some of her constituents in County Offaly.

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“In my constituency of Offaly, I have constituents complaining about infrasound from a wind farm.

“They are not being listened to. We have no guidelines and we have absolutely no protections for those communities.

“I have called time and again for a moratorium on wind farms until the guidelines are published but, more importantly, until the guidelines give balance to this whole debate and argument and protect communities and their rights and so far that is not happening.”

“It is shocking to see wind farms being imposed on communities that are completely opposed,” she added.

Deputy Nolan highlighted that it isn’t just humans that are being affected by the wind farms - but animals as well.

“I have also had an issue with farms in Offaly where it is affecting animals. Not alone is it affecting the residents, but it is affecting the animals in the fields.”

“I have had reports of livestock having to be moved when a wind farm went into north Offaly. That is not fair. We need a balance between communities and corporate entities,” she concluded.

Minister of State Alan Dillon issued a general response to a number of statements, in which he thanked all the TDs present for their engagement.

He stated: “The fact that many Members have contributed to the debate demonstrates the importance and relevance of energy issues. I welcome the broad range of contributions on such wide-ranging issues.”

However, Minister Dillon provided no direct response to Deputy Nolan’s queries.