It's early days yet for this windfarm development in Lemanaghan but we are already dealing with enquiries from local landowners.

With this proposal and the company's continuing progress on its windfarms in Derrinlough and Cloncreen, Bord na Mona's investment in renewable energy has the potential to greatly benefit Offaly farm families and the communities in which they live, not to mention the dividends these multiple schemes might bring in terms of reducing Ireland's dependence on carbon-based fuels.

An important part of the process in any windfarm development is the option agreements that the renewable energy company must enter into with local landowners. These agreements have the potential to provide very welcome payments for farmers in the short term and, depending on what options are exercised, even greater returns thereafter, usually far in excess of agricultural values, for upwards of thirty years. At the same time, these agreements contain covenants and obligations that will bind not only the current landowners but also, potentially, the next generation. It is important, therefore, that farm families receive the very best possible legal advice from the most experienced practitioners in the area. Ken Enright has practiced in this field for over a decade and knows very well the benefits and potential pitfalls concerned with windfarm and solar option agreements and leases.

Farmers are welcome to make contact with Ken Enright on an individual or group basis.

From a legal and a practical point of view, the purchase of a new house - or the purchase of a house in the course of construction, or the purchase of a house "off the plans" - is very different from the purchase of a second-hand house.

The contract will involve the purchase of a site together with an agreement between the purchaser and the development company to build the house according to certain plans and specifications. Timelines, stamp duty issues, loan offers, payment arrangements and legal documentation usually tend to be a bit more complicated with new houses than those involved in the purchase of second-hand houses.

This blog post sets out some of the issues involved. It tells you some of the things you, as a purchaser, need to be aware of and about which your solicitor should be able to advise you.