Wind energy regulations
The Tánaiste discusses forthcoming revised planning regulations, while Robert Troy presses for publication because affected communities have been waiting for clarity.
I will deal first with the question about children with an assessment of mild Down's syndrome. Clearly, this has been a major concern for the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. She has had detailed discussions on the various reports on the allocation of resources. I know she is satisfied that the issues raised by the parents involved can be addressed. In addition to having a number of pilot projects over a period of time, the Minister is looking specifically at some of the proposals contained in the relevant reports.
Regarding the revised planning regulations for wind turbines, we can take that up with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I do not actually have a date for their publication.
Comment on this
I wish to follow up on the last point about wind energy regulations because I have been raising this issue for a number of weeks. Both the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have said they are unaware or unsure and that they will take it up with the Minister who will inform us. However, we are none the wiser. More importantly, the communities that will be affected by the erection of these wind turbines are none the wiser either. These regulations have been promised for a number of months, so I appeal to the Tánaiste to live up to the commitment she gave here today. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government should provide a definitive timeframe as to when these regulations will be announced.
In an earlier reply, the Tánaiste complimented herself on getting an A grade from the Children's Rights Alliance for the construction of the schools buildings programme.
