October 1, 2021
Ireland

Nolan receives no commitment on wind energy guidelines

Offaly Independent | Thu 30 Sep 2021 | www.offalyindependent.ie

The contentious proposal by Bord na Móna to build a wind farm on Lemanaghan bog was raised in the Dail this week by Deputy Carol Nolan, who failed in her bid to get a timeline for the introduction of wind energy guidelines.

Deputy Nolan raised the issue of Lemanaghan bog during Leaders Questions when she asked An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, for an exact timeline as to when the draft wind energy guidelines published in 2019 will be finalised.

“People from rural communities have no protection whatsoever from wind energy companies coming in and constructing monstrosities of turbines against their wishes,” said the Laois/Offaly Independent Deputy.

She added that 2,300 objections had been raised in relation to the proposal for a wind farm in Lemanaghan Bog, which she described as “an important site from the point of view of heritage, history and archaeology.”

She also pointed out that she had put in an objection to the proposed Lemanaghan wind farm, and she asked for “a specific timeframe” for the finalising of the current draft wind energy guidelines.

“These guidelines are long overdue, and this is an issue which is of concern to many TDs in this House, a cross-Party issue, and the finalised guidelines need to be published urgently.

In his response, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said the guidelines “are being updated” and the Minister for the Environment “is committed” to updating them.

“They are only draft guidelines, and they need to be updated” interjected Deputy Nolan.

“I know that” replied An Taoiseach “and I will revert to Minister Ryan in respect of this issue.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/10/01/nolan-receives-no-commitment-on-wind-energy-guidelines/