I am amazed by the Minister's response to a previous question on the publication of the wind energy guidelines. He seemed to brush over the urgent need for publication of same by saying it is no secret that there is a disagreement between him and his Cabinet colleague in respect of it. This is an extremely important issue, on which thousands of people made submissions and which affects communities the length and breadth of this country. It is not getting priority from Government. In the past couple of weeks there have been rumours that the export of energy is now back on the agenda. Any developer could put in a planning application under 2006 wind energy guidelines, which we all agree are totally outdated. A Government backbencher published legislation on this over two years ago and nothing has been done on it. We need to know categorically when the wind energy guidelines will be published, so that we have robust legislation to ensure communities are protected and that we can utilise wind energy as a resource.

I understand the independent children's rapporteur report has been with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs since February. It is usually published before the summer recess. We are now well into the autumn session and it has yet to be publicised.

On the planning need for modular homes, it is unbelievable that a woman was brought to court for having a satellite dish over her front door-----

That is a different issue.

-----and we do not know whether a modular home will need planning permission or not. How out of touch is this Government?

Hear, hear.

I am always amused when people say there are rumours abroad. It is usually the person who says that who is starting the rumour. I certainly have not heard the rumours Deputy Troy refers to. The wind energy guidelines are a serious matter and are being dealt with as such. I did not say there was no secret about a disagreement between colleagues, I said it is no secret that there is tension in the country - we might as well face this - between the imperative in respect of developing renewable energy, on the one hand, and the real community concerns about the location of wind farms on the other. That is what I said there was no secret about and Deputy Troy should not put words in my mouth. We are seeking to resolve that and we will resolve it, in the interests of the Irish people and our renewable energy policy.

When?

In respect of the independent children's rapporteur, I will have to respond later to the Deputy. It is not a legislative matter but I will do what I can to try to ensure that the Deputy gets that information.