Sir, - I hesitate to disagree with Eamon de Buitleir (July 24th), for whom I have the highest regard as a conservationist and film-maker, over the proposed wind-farm on Inis Mean.
However, I am surprised that a not insignificant number of conservationists have come out in a negative way when wind energy is discussed.
I would certainly not wish to see wind-farms sited on every mountainside and windy coastline in the country. But surely the bigger picture is that global warming, and the associated depletion of the ozone layer, must be tackled with the utmost urgency.
Wind-farms are a viable source of completely clean energy, and the technology is available now.
In the longer term other technologies will come on stream. These will include wave energy, cheaper and more efficient solar cells, and the hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine. This fuel is promised for motor-cars within five years and can also be used for power generation.
The present generation of wind generators could be redundant in perhaps 20 or 30 years, and could then be dismantled. As they take up little ground space at the base of the masts, when they are eventually removed, few scars would be left. A clause in the planning permission could specify eventual removal and re-instatement.
Perhaps I have all this wrong, but let us have more debate on the subject! - Yours, etc.,
Will, Warham, Oylegate, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.