Sir, - I'm sure most of your readers are aware of the pressure on Ireland to produce renewable energy that has a low impact on the environment. Windfarms are seen as a green source of energy and are promoted as such. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) agrees that wind energy is a cleaner way of producing electricity than the burning of non-renewable materials such as peat, which pollute our atmosphere and destroy our once natural boglands.
However, windfarms cannot be called "green" if located in the wrong environment. The report (The Irish Times, March 23rd) on the proposed windfarm of 67 turbines and 25 miles of road in the Ox Mountains failed to mention that the proposed development is within an internationally important blanket bog which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and is "protected" by national and European law.
Ireland must learn to understand that bogland SACs are home to the most endangered plants and animals in Europe and are of utmost importance. Windfarms are not compatible with nature conservation in upland sites as they facilitate erosion and damage fragile peatland ecosystems.
The planning system has been unable to keep up with the rapid development of windfarms. It is evident from the chaotic manner in which they are being proposed that there is no strategic approach to their siting. Since 1998 the IPCC has called for the completion of an upland survey and for Mr Noel Dempsey to draw up new guidelines to ensure that windfarms are sited in appropriate locations. Local authorities should be obliged to zone suitable areas within counties where such developments would be permitted, and avoid areas that are earmarked for nature conservation.
Building a windfarm within an SAC, even entertaining such a proposal, is outrageous. Unless the appropriate Government conservation and planning agencies make SACs a no-go for such developments, we will continue to erode away our heritage of upland bogs which we are committed to protecting. - Yours, etc.,
Patrick Crushell MSc, Conservation Officer, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Capel Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.