Indefensible that windfarm plans don’t factor in human health

I read with interest Michael Clifford’s article of July 26 (‘A blustery reception for wind turbines as locals voice their opposition’) which reported that a local woman, Marina Reilly from Castletown, Co Meath, was given an assurance by the Taoiseach that health problems would be taken into account in the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.

Following a public consultation, the review of these guidelines is currently being considered by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG). An official of that department advised me recently that the review should be finalised by October.

DECLG had consulted the Department of Health in September/October last year for its views on the health impacts of wind turbines, but as the health department failed to provide a coherent position for inclusion in the consultative document issued to the public in November, it seems that DECLG had the bright idea of stifling debate by saying in that document that human health aspects did not “fall within the remit” of the guidelines. It thus appears that whereas DECLG has every concern — and rightly so — for the health and wellbeing of birds, bats, etc living near wind turbines, similar concern does not in its view extend to people affected by their operation.