There is a substantial and growing body of international scientific evidence that shows there is no link between wind turbines and adverse health effects and no credible evidence exists to the contrary, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) said.

IWEA was responding to a report in the Irish Examiner on a literature review carried out by the Department of Health, into the health effects of wind turbines, which had suggested there was a possible link between a cluster of symptoms and wind turbines although did clearly highlight that wind turbines do not represent a threat to public health.

Caitriona Diviney, Chief Operating Officer of IWEA, said: "The review carried out by the Department of Health was extremely limited and incomplete focusing primarily on Australian information predating 2009 and the Department of Health itself has highlighted it did not constitute expert advice. A number of comprehensive studies carried out internationally in recent years have clearly concluded that wind turbines are not harmful to humans and we would encourage all parties with interest in the issue, including the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, to study this data.

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"We would also point to extensive work carried out by Professor Simon Chapman, Professor of Public Health in The University of Sydney, in cataloguing the increasing number of independent reviews published on the issue since 2003 from across the globe1, which have all reached the same conclusions, that wind energy is not harmful to human health.

"As a responsible industry, we will continue to engage with experts in science, medicine and occupational and environmental health to monitor ongoing credible research in the area of wind turbines and human health. However, it is vital that the wider discussion on wind power is based on fact and the examination of credible evidence so that not to cause completely unwarranted concern to the general public and people living in the vicinity of wind turbines."

There are now 2,000MW of installed wind energy capacity in Ireland delivering clean electricity for over 20 years, and the industry currently provides employment to 3,400 in communities across Ireland.

(CD/MH)