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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Solar farm regulation

Summary

Senator Rabbitte called for a debate on solar farm regulation and wind farm guidelines, citing concerns in East Galway and elsewhere about weak regulation and local impacts.

East Galway and possibly many other areas around the country are being scourged by the conversation around the regulation of the provision of solar farms. I accept there is a real need for an increase in energy capacity. The issue concerns the conversation around solar farms, the lack of regulation and the review of wind farm guidelines. I am calling for a debate with the Minister with responsibility for regulation and provision. There was a very powerful presentation last week in the audiovisual room on the matter from various groups around the country. I know of developments in Kilconly in north Galway, the solar farm opposed by Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea Against Solar Sprawl, AMASS, and Ryehill. I know of solar farms of 1,000 acres of good arable land. When we do not have regulation, they go rogue. That is the reality. We need energy but maybe we need a conversation about small nuclear reactors. We are bringing in power generated by nuclear power through the interconnector so we need a grown-up conversation about what the solution might be as opposed to killing our countryside. It is clean, green and efficient. I am by no means an advocate for nuclear power but I see how communities are being split, divided and torn apart and this is wrong. Could the Leader facilitate a debate? I have no doubt that, in his area, he has come across a lot of wind turbines as well.

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