I wish to raise the significant step change in the technology and development of wind farms throughout the country that is causing considerable anxiety and concern among communities. While we are supportive of the development of wind energy, what has happened recently has scared communities and caused large divisions in many areas for which major proposals are being prepared.

The size and extent of the new proposed wind farms are causing major anxiety in communities throughout the country. Whereas wind turbines were originally 50-60 m high, the current proposals are for wind turbines of up to 180 m in height. In the midlands, there are proposals to build up to 700 such turbines. In Ardglass between Lisgoold and Castlelyons in east County Cork, another major wind farm has been proposed, covering approximately 18,000 acres. In the Glenties, a recent application covering 475 hectares was turned down by An Bord Pleanála because of the scale of its impact on the locality.

Such large-scale wind farms are being developed in Ireland because of significant public opposition in Britain. Many of them are close to large clusters of housing. In east Cork, for example, more than 300 houses are in the midst of industrial wind turbines. To give people a sense of the scale, the proposed turbines would be twice the size of the Elysian. That is an enormous height, but people do not have a proper appreciation of what is being proposed.

There is a fundamental absence of transparency governing these developments. There is an absence of consultation with local residents and communities. Above all, there is an absence of a legislative framework to deal with the step change in technology and scale of development. Since the wind farms are being located close to residential areas, the health implications are causing concern to residents in terms of noise, shadow flicker, the destruction of amenities, particularly residential amenities, the negative visual impact, etc.

Could I have a question please, Deputy?

To illustrate the level of concern, Professor Alun Evans, who has written in the British Medical Journal, wrote to the residents of east Cork, stating: "I greatly sympathise with you in your plight. Quite simply your life will be ruined if this goes ahead."

A Government intervention is required. The 2006 planning guidelines are outdated and were never framed in the context of the technology that is emerging. Will the Government introduce legislation to govern the development of large-scale industrial wind farms? As a matter of urgency, will the Government accelerate the updating of the guidelines to deal with this new technology?

Deputy Martin has raised a very interesting point. This is a serious matter. Our country imports between €6 billion and €7 billion worth of energy in fossil fuels every year. Clearly, the Government has set targets to be reached by 2020 in terms of the reduction of carbon emissions. This is an enormous bill that our people must pay.

When I came into this House in the beginning, the Minister for Lands - the Minister for the environment at the time - had full and absolute authority in respect of planning permissions for any kind of development. Clearly, the path that that followed led to serious problems and serious issues, tribunals and all of that. We have got a very robust, very independent and very analytical planning process now.

Deputy Martin made the point that the guidelines did not deal with the extent of the change in technology and its sophistication these days. I would argue differently. The environmental impact analyses that are now required for almost every kind of planning application are exhaustively extensive, I have to say. Clear consultation and discussion with communities is very important.

I know there are two major applications for wind farms in the country. I remind the Deputy that, because of our relationship with Great Britain and because of the energy requirements of Great Britain between now and 2020 in particular, with more than £50 billion to be spent, we signed a memorandum of understanding with Britain whereby if through the planning process here approval is given for wind development or renewable energy development in general, we can export energy directly to the British market, subsidised by the British taxpayer as part of that memorandum of understanding.

I visited the wind farm between Charleroi and Brussels two years ago. It is one of the highest turbine masts in Europe. Farmers get paid approximately €100,000 per year for the location of the mast. These are turbines without gearboxes, so there is none of the traditional noise that used to emanate from them.

Where I live in the west, there are 40 or 50 turbines on the hill. Some of them are ten or 15 years old and they are not as large as the ones the Deputy is talking about.

Consultation is critical. To be honest about this, I understand that the companies involved have had extensive and ongoing consultations with local communities. Deputy Martin might disagree with that; I am informed differently. That is a point of argument again.

Hot air.

I recall 30 years ago-----

Like Deputy Durkan, it is hot air.

Best wind turbine in the House.

-----when we had the provision of telecom masts around the country, all of the public meetings that used to take place-----

Order, please.

-----about how these were going to be obstructionist on the landscape and how they were going to create all kinds of difficulty. They were a very important part of the development of our economy in terms of communications.

Deputy Martin asked me to intervene and update the guidelines.

I will see that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is cognisant of the guidelines. The Deputy's Government did some good work in terms of wind farm and renewable energy development and we want to build on that.

There is a first time for everyone.

However, we cannot interfere with the very extensive and analytical planning process whereby environmental impact analysis is up to date with every aspect of intrusion on landscape or other interference.

Call in Big Phil.

Of course, when one looks at the spread of population in the country, there are very few places where there can be extensive masts that are not in sight of houses. I once had an engagement with a fisherman in respect of lake development and I asked him what he wanted. He said he did not want to have any house within sight of the waters of the lake in question. Some things are impossible. I have applications in my hand that concern part of our capacity to produce renewable energy to sell into the British market, as subsidised by the British taxpayer, but they are subject to a very strict environmental analysis and planning process. I cannot interfere with that. I will ask the Minister to reflect on the guidelines which, as the Deputy stated, have not been updated.

Big Phil again.

My understanding is that the environmental impact analysis process is exhaustive in dealing with all of the modern issues raised these days.

I am alarmed by the Taoiseach's response. Who represents the citizen in this? Is this House meant to represent and protect the citizen?

That has gone long ago.

I am not asking the Taoiseach to interfere in individual planning applications. I do not know if he is aware that his own Government commenced a review of the 2006 guidelines but, unfortunately, allowed only two weeks for submissions from the public. The point is that the 2006 guidelines are hopelessly out of date given the new technology. We are not talking about a couple of turbines on the side of a hill. We are talking about 700 wind turbines proposed for the midlands that will produce exclusively for export under guidelines that, by any professional evidence basis and according to professionals in the field, are hopelessly out of date and inappropriate for what is being proposed. The health implications are real for residents who are close to such large-scale industrial wind turbines. I am simply asking the Taoiseach to create and bring in a legislative framework to govern the development of such large industrial wind farms. It is as simple as that. The planning authorities need guidelines. Even the county development plans are ambiguous in terms of their provision in this area. I have looked at the plan for Cork, for example, and could not understand how wind turbines that were so high could be placed so close - 500 m - to houses.

We had this situation before with afforestation for which, understandably, there was great momentum. I am for afforestation but it went overboard at the time. Houses were completely enclosed by massive forests, which is wrong. What happened to citizens on that occasion was wrong. The same will happen here. Citizens are concerned and anxious, and we must ask why. It is because there is no consultation. The Taoiseach stated there was extensive consultation but there is no consultation going on. Let him talk to his own Deputies from the midlands. That is why a Government Deputy has tabled his own legislation in this area, seeking to have it dealt with. That is why a Senator in the Government ranks tabled legislation in the Seanad almost six months ago to deal with this issue. When there is an absence of consultation and transparency and a lack of acknowledgement of the genuine concerns of moderate people, the Taoiseach is looking for trouble. He is out of touch on this issue and quickly needs to get in touch with it and provide a framework that at least protects the health of residents, their residential amenities and the visual impact on them. That is the least residents and citizens can expect from their Government.

I do not know whether the Deputy is for or against renewable energy, given his contribution, but I reject his assertion that we are being in any way alarmist. People have every right to live where they choose and in accordance with proper planning conditions. Any application that comes in for industrial or private needs is subject to the planning process. I do not know whether the major applications here relate to the critical infrastructure process and therefore go directly to An Bord Pleanála, but let Deputy Martin not tell me that he has all the answers. I am informed there is extensive consultation with communities, people and personnel.

Then the Taoiseach is misinformed.

In the same way, when gas lines were installed throughout the country or when the major motorways were being built, there was extensive consultation, with everybody consulted on an individual basis.

People have had to convene their own meetings.

There is a process for arbitration or appeasement and, ultimately, for decision. I cannot say whether the applications for wind turbines will be successful. I cannot speak for An Bord Pleanála. All I can tell the Deputy is that the process of updating the guidelines is one element, but we have no function in determining the outcome of this, given the independence of An Bord Pleanála. I am quite sure the Deputy accepts that.

I never mentioned that. I spoke about legislation and guidelines.

The Taoiseach to conclude, please.

The Deputy mentioned that the planning process does not take account of current changes in technology.

It does not. The guidelines are out of date.

From the very extensive environmental impact analyses that are required to be submitted and which reach many thousands of pages of detailed analysis, my understanding is that they are taken into account. Given the legacy left behind in regard to agriculture, the expertise was never there to deal with the detail of environmental impact analysis in different parts of the country. I have had contact from communities about this.

I share everyone's view that consultation and information are necessary. Had we had those in respect of other major applications throughout the country, things might have been much smoother. These proposals are not yet a reality and I cannot say whether they will become a reality in the context of their applications. There is a process which is independent and robust and which takes account of all these aspects. It is a matter for the promoters and local authorities involved to have extensive consultation with communities, which I support, in order that they are fully informed as to what is involved.

I call An Teachta Gerry Adams.

I asked whether the Taoiseach intends to bring in a legislative framework - yes or no.

I have called Deputy Adams.

Does the Taoiseach plan to legislate? Will the Minister bring in a legislative framework? That is all I ask.

An bhfuil sibh críochnaithe?

Deputy Martin claimed we were being alarmist in this regard.

I never said the Taoiseach was alarmist.

There is an independent and robust planning-----

I made the opposite claim. The Taoiseach is not being alarmist at all.

I asked him to answer "yes" or "no".

I have called Deputy Adams. Can we please have order?

Scaremongering.