The Agreement signed yesterday between the two governments is claimed to be one of Principle only at this stage, but already plans are in place for companies to erect hundreds of the giant turbines over 5 counties across the Irish Midlands, on flat, windless bog land. Farmers will be encouraged to agree to this use of their land through annual payments of about €20,000 each - a huge incentive by any standard. Some experts have described the scene as "crazy", and as not just selling the Irish family silver but giving it away.
It is concerning that local people have not been consulted about a scheme which transfers, conveniently, the blight of onshore wind generation, so bitterly opposed in the UK, to their country, for the benefit of their neighbour, and that it is only as the Memorandum of Understanding is signed that the facts and their implications are becoming clear. There is a furtive air of secrecy over the plans, perhaps to avoid a brouhaha before the deal was done, and I feel the greatest regret that my government may have connived in dishonouring the Irish and their environment, deliberately or not.
It may be that I am wrong about all of this and the Irish people will be happy with a project that may bring employment during the building stage and benefit the landowners in the longer term even if their spectacularly beautiful landscape is ruined over a large area and the welfare of wildlife is affected, but I doubt it. The comment has been made that the population in Ireland is smaller than in the UK, which makes the turbines acceptable, but this will be offensive to the locals who love their land and who see their wishes disregarded in favour of considerations to do with politics and money, buck passing and convenience. Whose country is it?
Claire Montanaro is a spiritual teacher, channel and blogger with special interest in esoteric philosophy and the world in transition. Loves nature and wildlife. Author of “Spiritual Wisdom”.]]>
