'Westmeath will be seen as not being part of the solution and more part of the problem' - Ryan

The long standing opposition in Westmeath to wind energy development could affect the county's future prosperity, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan believes.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner after the Green Party public meeting in Columb Barracks on Thursday night, Minister Ryan says that he understands the reason why local people were opposed to wind energy development in the past.

“I know absolutely there is a legacy here going back around ten years ago when there was this whole big scheme to develop wind in the midlands and export it to the UK...There was a huge campaign and a huge level of opposition."

The Green Party leader says that throughout the region communities' attitudes towards wind energy are changing. Unless the same process occurs in Westmeath, it could affect the county's future prospects, he believes.

“I think what we are seeing in some other midlands counties like Offaly and elsewhere is the likes of Bord na Mona and others starting to develop wind in a way that has community support. It brings huge revenue to the council. It's a massive rates base that could fund a lot of other things and it's the future. It's where the world is going.

"Ninety percent of the electricity generation expenditure across the world this year is going to be renewables. It will attract industry and investment because companies want to have clean power.

"We have to be sensitive. We have to be careful on how it's planned but opting out... it would mean the council won't get the revenue and communities don't get the revenue and Westmeath will be seen as not being part of the solution and more part of the problem.”