Recently, the UN report on climate change warned that we have approximately 12 years to limit catastrophe yet the Government continues to purchase diesel buses for public transport and it has yet to publish the wind energy guidelines and the solar farm guidelines. This is indicative of a Government that is neglecting this issue.

In a press release on Tuesday, 13 June 2017, the Tánaiste published the Review of Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006: Summary of the Key Aspects of the Preferred Draft Approach, which concludes: "I envisage following the completion of the SEA process, the new statutory Guidelines will be finalized and issued to planning authorities in Q1 2018”, Minister Coveney concluded." We are far from the first quarter of 2018 and no guidelines have been issued. This forms a key part of alternative energy for our country and communities need certainty and consultation. Will the Tánaiste tell the House today where stands the wind energy guidelines which he promised would be published in the first quarter of 2018?

There were draft wind energy guidelines agreed between the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Housing, Planning and Local Government. Those draft guidelines then needed to go through a process of public consultation, which has been ongoing. The Government is anxious to conclude that process as-----

The first quarter of 2018.

I ask the Deputy to allow me to respond. In regard to climate change more generally, the Government is determined to be a leader in this area. This will require some policy decisions for which I hope we will have the support of other parties in this House. Climate change is not always about making the easy decisions and spending more money. It is also about policy change that will need political leadership and cross-party support.

The first quarter of 2018.

I hope we will get that support in the all-party committee that is working on the issue.