Allister responds to DARD wind turbine report
11 December 2008
Jim Allister MEP has added his comments to the long awaited DARD report on the Wind Energy for Rural Businesses project:
“At long last, DARD has been forced into admitting it has a responsibility towards the farmers and rural business owners who have been at the centre of this shambolic scheme. While the report does recommend that the Department should consider making a payment to project promoters, I note this is on the basis that applicants abandon any claim against the Department arising out of the project. DARD is seeking to give recompense for only ‘some’ of the costs to promoters of this flawed scheme, while ensuring that promoters do not seek to pursue the Department for the balance through the courts. In short, it seems that DARD is seeking to ‘short-change’ those who have suffered financially under the scheme.”
“Regrettably, it has taken an enormous amount of negative publicity for the Department to be forced into accepting it has any responsibility to the farmers concerned, which is all too often the case. I suspect my referring this matter to the attention of the Northern Ireland Audit Office has also had a part to play in forcing DARD to this point.”
“Finally, I note with interest the comment in DARD’s own internal report which says, ‘project applicants placed too much reliance on DARD and its agents.” Sadly, DARD’s disgraceful handling of this scheme will cause many to question the trust they hold in that Government Department in question in any future schemes.
I will continue to ensure that DARD fully meets its obligations to those who remain out of pocket.”
ENDS
