‘Go away!’ - Carlow residents ‘seriously worried’ by ‘monstrous’ wind turbines

People in County Carlow are “seriously worried” by the number of wind turbines in their local communities, the Dáil has heard.

Carlow-Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere spoke on the subject during a recent debate on the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill.

Deputy Cleere said: “The current wind energy guidelines date back to 2006 and in my view, they are, put simply, not fit for purpose.

“In 2006, wind turbines were 80 metres high. Today, in Carlow and Kilkenny, communities are fighting applications against 180 metres industrial structures using rules from almost 20 years ago.

“To put this size in context, it is the equivalent of four Croke Park stadiums stacked on top of each other. These are absolutely massive, monstrous structures.”

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He continued by saying that while technology has developed massively over the past 20 years, the regulations for wind turbines haven’t been updated.

Deputy Cleere stated: “We cannot lose sight, or ever forget, that communities are at the heart of this.

“In towns and villages like Kilmanagh, Tullaroan, Ballycallan, Castlewarren, Dungarvan, Castlebanny, Ballynalacken, Ballyfasy, Oldleighlin and Seskin, all in my own constituency, the people of those communities are all seriously worried and concerned.

“My view is simple: the guidelines must protect families and communities, first, through strictly increased setback distances; second, through noise regulation; and third, through the flicker regulation.

“Only then can we provide the renewables. We cannot continue to regulate modern monsters with obsolete laws. We need to update them and we need to do it now.”

He went on to say that while he supports the need for renewable energy, he believes that this should be done in moderation and with the support of local communities.

He continued: “This bill demonstrates that renewable energy can be developed in a way that protects rural Ireland, strengthens public trust and delivers real benefits to those living closest to the turbines.

“It balances Ireland's climate goals with the rights of communities to fair treatment, meaningful involvement and proper consultation.

“This bill is not about stopping wind energy but it is about doing it right. Communities deserve protection, transparency and a fair share of the benefits.

“Supporting this bill means supporting rural Ireland, local democracy and responsible renewable development.

“I am happy to stand with and I fully support communities around the country and in particular, those I have mentioned in my own constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, who want renewable energy done but want it done fairly and want it done right,” Deputy Cleere concluded.

Laois Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming also spoke on the issue at the meeting and mentioned the impact that projects in his county have had on Carlow residents.

Deputy Fleming said: “Many years ago, the first involvement I had on behalf of a community was regarding a wind farm called Gortahile in Rossmore, which is overlooking County Carlow but very much in County Laois.

“When that application came through, the developer was proposing to put a wind turbine within 300 metres of the nearest house.

“I objected very strenuously, and the community and I were united at that time. We met the developer and told them two words: ‘Go away’.”

He continued by saying that public consultation was subsequently undertaken and changes were made to the proposed development.

However, Deputy Fleming believes that rural communities are no longer being listened to in the same manner.

He stated: “This reminds me of what is happening in some places in China where people are working for little or nothing to produce the clothes many of us here are wearing.

“Those people are being abused, many individuals are making a profit and we are getting the benefit of the cheap clothes.

“That is the exact situation in this instance. The investors to whom I refer are going to sell a product cheaply into France on the backs of the Irish people who are going to have to tolerate wind turbines, shadow flicker and everything that goes with that. We have to be careful in that regard.

“They will be left like a blight on the landscape for generations to come, and people will be amazed that we facilitated this.”

The Wind Turbine Regulation Bill was brought forward by Independent Laois TD Brian Stanley and is currently at its second stage.

It aims to regulate wind turbines, to provide limits on the exportation of product generated from wind turbines, to protect nearby dwellings from noise and shadow flicker by providing minimum set back distances and to allow access to public consultative processes.