A Fianna Fail Councillor in West Waterford is furious that an energy company is applying for permission to build a wind farm in the middle of a pandemic.
RWE has submitted an application to An Bord Pleanala to erect 17 turbines along the Waterford/Cork border.
The Lyrenacarriga Wind Farm is proposed for 733 hectares 5km south-east of Tallow and 9km north-west of Youghal.
It's designated as "strategic infrastructural development".
At a meeting of Waterford Council at the Park Hotel on the 17th of September 2020, James Tobin asked that the council request that application and further investigations cease during the pandemic. He received support from all councillors.
The Fianna Fail Councillor told the meeting of Dungarvan and Lismore District Council this week that they can't even hold a public meeting about this now.
"They come along, in the middle of Covid, when the ordinary people cannot, we cannot have a meeting to discuss it."
He also raised concerns about where the planning notices have been placed.
"They put up the planning notice, all down at ground level. If I put in for a house and if I don't put the planning notice right and if I don't put it up at eye level, I will be told to reapply.
James Tobin also hit out at the fee people must pay to An Bord Pleanala to object.
"€50 to try and protect and safeguard your own house and your own parish. It's a total disgrace."
