Solar farms on farmland
Deputy O'Connor raised concern about large solar farms on prime east Cork farmland and asked whether the Government would protect agricultural land. The Tánaiste said guidelines were important and that property rights, food security and the visual landscape all had to be balanced.
I raise the issue of the rampant growth in the number of solar farms being developed in the east Cork area, ranging in size from 450 acres to 1,200 acres, one of which will potentially remove the largest single cow herd in the country. This is something that is hugely concerning to the people of east Cork, as we see, potentially, our green fields turning grey. I know Government guidelines will come out in quarter 4 of 2024. Is there any concentration in the Government on preserving top-quality agricultural land that is being turned into commercial solar farms?
Comment on this
The guidelines are important. There are constitutional issues in terms of property rights and what owners of property may wish to do with it. There is also the balancing of the effective use of solar power vis-à-vis the necessity of food security and food production. The area Deputy O'Connor mentioned is probably the best agricultural land in the country. Anyone who goes to Ballymaloe will see a vast expanse of beautiful fields, land, tillage, production and so on. A balance is required in the aesthetics as well, in terms of how the country looks in the future. There is also the question of better utilisation of platforms for solar panelling other than green fields. I do not think the country would appreciate the entire green grass of Ireland, our 40 shades of green, being replaced with 40 shades of grey.
