The Irish fishing industry says it has a right to be consulted about offshore wind farms because it affects the livelihoods of everyone.
That’s according to Aodh O Donnell, the Killybegs based Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Producers Association, who says says every industry needs to co-operate to reduce fossil fuels but co-operation works both ways and they are not being consulted.
Aodh O’Donnell says fishing interests are affected by both the location and operation of wind farms, but Minister Eamon Ryan is reported to have signed off on six Irish Sea developments which will move to planning stage. There is, he says, unease that this appears to be rushed.”
He says fishers and processors are of the view that no planning should proceed until the new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority is established.