I raise the decision by the ESB to decommission the wind farm in Derrybrien in my constituency. This is a terrible decision in light of what the Central Statistics Office, CSO, has published this week. A total of 40,000 houses have been getting wind energy from this project. It has also served to boost broadband and mobile telephone services in the area. It has been in operation since 2006, providing some €11 million per annum of electricity into the grid. We are talking about decommissioning it at a time when we need this energy. Second, the decommissioning process could cause a hell of a lot more environmental issues because there are 50 pylons and they are not just little poles. They are massive things, they are worth a lot of money and people around the world want to buy them. It would be a disgrace if this proceeds. I ask the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consult the Attorney General to try find a way to keep the wind farm in operation.

Derrybrien does not have a distinguished history in regard to planning, installation, and its impact on the topography of the site and on residents in the area. It has been the subject of a very recent decision. As a country, we have been in infringement of EU directives in this space. It goes without saying that my Department and every other Department will play their part in ensuring we have the energy security we need. The case regarding Derrybrien has, in effect, been closed, but all options in regard to energy security will be looked at. My understanding is the ESB has accepted the recent decision on the decommissioning of Derrybrien. However, all options will be considered.