RURAL Ireland Independent TD Richard O’Donoghue says he is not against wind energy itself, but its health implications.
Speaking in the Dáil, the County Limerick politician asked Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien to acknowledge that the High Court has ruled in multiple cases that wind turbine noise can constitute a nuisance, even where developments are compliant with planning conditions.
He also asked for confirmation on the specific advice the Department received from the Attorney General in March 2024 regarding the matter.
In response, the Minister acknowledged the recent High Court rulings related to private nuisance claims and related awards of damages connected with noise from particular wind farm developments.
“We currently have over 5 GW of onshore wind generation and in 2024, wind accounted for 33 per cent our electricity demand,” the Minister told Deputy O’Donoghue.
“Ireland has one of the best wind resources in the world. We are already among world leaders for installed onshore wind capacity per capita and we are a European leader for the integration of variable renewable electricity on the national grid. Meeting our national targets for wind energy will require further integration of renewable technologies in proximity to communities. This has to be done in an appropriate manner in full consultation with those communities.”
The Minister said that “important related work is progressing, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to review the existing wind energy development guidelines”.
“The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
“In particular, my Department has been engaged on advancing guidance on the noise aspect of the draft guidelines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose,” he said.
Deputy O’Donoghue told the Minister that, in Limerick, “wind turbine planning applications are being lodged at a massive rate”.
He also claimed that “the wind turbines that have gone up to date never involved health organisations. The HSE was not involved in the planning applications of the ones that exist. They are ignoring the health implications.”
“Again, I am not against wind energy. I am against locations that are causing health implications for people living in those areas. People are entitled to their own health in their own residence. All they are asking for is to have their health protected. We are not against wind energy, but we are against locations where they are causing health implications for people.”