Could I ask the Tánaiste about the long-promised guidelines on wind farms? In the previous Government four Ministers failed to introduce them. The issue is in the programme for Government and it was specified that the guidelines would be introduced within three to six months. The document stated it was a matter of priority. The Taoiseach said in the House the other day that he is trying to reach a compromise. We were told by the previous Government that a row was going on between the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, and the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, and they did not sort it out. What is happening now between the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, and the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, who is sitting beside the Tánaiste? When will we see the guidelines? In counties Laois, Offaly, Kildare, and other counties, wind farm developments are pushing ahead. Public representatives like me do not have answers for people as to why we cannot put regulations in place. How complicated can it be to specify set-back distances, noise levels and all of the other issues that need to be addressed. I have heard about reports and consultants. I am blue in the face listening to reasons for the past five years. We need to sort out this issue. The Government is entering its eight month in government. The matter must be addressed.

I will ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, to reply.

I can understand the frustration. There are many communities in various parts of the country that are waiting for clarity in terms of guidelines in this area. I met the Minister, Deputy Naughten, this week on the matter. There is a process that needs to be gone through. There is a commitment that we will provide clarity on the issue before the end of November. Since then, there has been a European Court judgment that requires a strategic impact assessment and a public consultation process as part of it in regard to the setting of new guidelines. We will produce a draft report which we will bring to Government before the end of the year with a view to having that consultation early in the new year. We are working towards finalising a position in relation to the new guidelines and they will be ready, certainly within the first quarter of next year.