Where should wind turbines go in Mayo?  - Should there be designated areas?

Councillor John O'Malley took a contrasting view to other Cllrs at the monthly Mayo County Council meeting, arguing for a more proactive approach to wind energy development.

"We are years behind in the development of wind turbines. In Copenhagen, they have wind turbines in the sea. We are behind on recycling and turbines," he said.

Cllr O'Malley urged the council to establish clear zones for wind energy: "The council should pick out where they think the turbines [should go]. No matter where you put turbines, someone will see them. We have to get a programme in place so we know where they can be allowed."

Emphasising urgency, he added: "We are importing energy. We have damn all wind turbines. We need to do it fast otherwise we'll close. You can't live on scenery. We have to get our own energy."

His comments came in the middle of a discussion on a proposed 16-turbine windfarm, which Mayo County Council believe would negative impact on the scenery near the Céide Fields and Downpatrick Head.

Big EU fine on the horizon?

Independent Claremorris Cllr Richard Finn said he comes from an area with wind turbines, which you can see from miles away. 

“You’ll see them nearly from Tuam down. Reality has to say here that progress is progress.”

Noting that the Irish state is on course to be fined €28 billion for failing to meet its emission targets, he told the other councillors that “we want to open our eyes very fast.”

“Then what's going to happen? The people who objected are going to be hit here with higher local property taxes, higher rates, higher everything in order to pay back the €28 billion.”

With this in mind, he agreed with the point made by Cllr O’Malley and said that as a Council, they should “pick out the areas where these things are and allow people to develop [wind farms].”

“We're talking about the environment, and we're talking about all that we have to think of our future.”