Vol. 568 No. 1
460 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will consider encouraging the positioning of wind farms on the exposed cutaway bogs of the midlands and west where the effect on wildlife and amenities will be less than on scenic mountain tops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16066/03]
As things stand, the location of wind farms is a matter for developers in the first instance and then for the planning authorities. They tend to be influenced by a wide variety of factors including the local wind regime and availability and cost of grid connection as well as more general planning matters.
I am committed to a public consultation process about future support mechanisms for renewable energy, based on a consultation document to be launched by my Department as soon as AER VI is completed. All matters raised in the consultation process will be carefully considered in due course including locational issues, if they arise.
