Sinn Féin TD for Waterford Conor D. McGuinness has accused the Government of allowing a “Wild West” approach to wind energy development to continue, warning that communities around Dungarvan are facing multiple proposed developments while national guidelines remain 20 years out of date.

Speaking in the Dáil during a debate on energy policy, Deputy McGuinness specifically mentioned Dungarvan, saying applications for wind energy developments were coming forward one after another in the hills and countryside around the town, while the Government continued to delay the promised overhaul of national guidelines.

“For years, the Government has promised to update them but repeatedly kicked the issue down the road,” he said.

“Local authorities are asked to deal with modern developments using a framework designed for a very different era and for different technology.”

Deputy McGuinness said this failure was contributing to a “Wild West” approach to energy generation and the regulation of energy companies, leaving workers and families behind.

Communities should not be expected to navigate a succession of major energy proposals without clear, modern rules governing how those developments are assessed.

He said the Government needed to stop delaying, publish updated guidelines and ensure that proper planning and regulation were in place to protect communities and provide certainty for local authorities.

“Communities deserve clear national rules and proper planning,” he said.

Deputy McGuinness said the growing number of proposals around Dungarvan made the need for action increasingly urgent.