I know the question has been asked as to when the guidelines for wind farms will be published, which we last had in 2006, but I have an addendum in that regard. When our neighbours across the water sneeze, we get a cold. Not many years ago, when an issue arose about planning for wind farms in my area in north Cork, there was a major campaign at the same time in Britain to call a halt to the building of wind farms on land. That campaign was successful because, first, an abundance of wind farms had been constructed and, second, in terms of supply to the grid, the surplus was such that some wind farm owners had to be paid money to turn them off. My question is for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. In providing the guidelines, will a solution be provided in respect of a cap on the number of wind farms being granted planning permission? That would ensure the fears of other communities could be allayed in respect of pending planning applications.

The position on those guidelines is that they are issued by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. I understand the consultation was delayed because of new provisions relating to noise, which were required to be incorporated into them. I understand also that the Department will shortly enter into consultation on those onshore wind guidelines.

In respect of offshore wind, there is work to develop new legislation in the area of foreshore. In the context of the type of wind energy that will come onto the grid, it is intended that there will be a renewable energy support scheme run by way of auction. That will be technology-neutral so that all forms of renewable energy can compete for the opportunity to supply the grid.

What about the number of wind farms? That is the question I asked.

No cap is being set by Government. The decision on a wind farm is decided by planning application issued under the guidelines the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is revising. No cap is issued by Government in that regard.