"No Waffle" Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy Lays It On The Line

Shelving of wind farm plans a victory for campaigning communities – Carthy

7 March, 2014 - by Matt Carthy (EU candidate)

Sinn Féin EU Midlands Northwest candidate, Matt Carthy, has described media reports of the possible shelving of proposed large wind farms across the midlands, if true, as “a victory for communities who have been campaigning and making their voices heard on this issue”.

Carthy said that it was now time for the government to develop all-Ireland wind farm planning regulations that put communities at the heart of decision-making processes.

Cllr Carthy said:

“Media reports today of the possible shelving of these proposed large-scale wind farm projects across the midlands, if true, point to a victory for all those communities who have been tirelessly campaigning and making their voices heard on this issue.

“Aside from the legitimate concerns regarding land value, agriculture and tourism, the fact that the electricity was to be exported to Britain never made any economic sense. It also cut across this country’s own need to replace its dependence on imported fossil fuels with domestically generated renewable energy.

“It is now time for the government to put in place stringent guidelines on wind farm planning regulations. These regulations should be people-centred and put communities at the heart of decision-making processes. We cannot have another situation where large-scale developments such as this are rail-roaded through without the consent of the communities affected.

“Despite the reports today Sinn Féin will be shortly producing a Bill which would ensure that any future wind farm projects are strictly regulated in terms of set-back distances, height and consultation with communities.”

Sinn Féin Mountmellick – Serving The Community