Gabhaim buíochas as ucht an deis labhairt. I know the Tánaiste was involved with the draft guidelines on wind farms. When can we expect these new guidelines? I have been contacted by a number of concerned residents in communities in Laois and Offaly. There is great concern and the noise levels are of particular concern in connection with a wind farm at Garbally near Banagher. Could a moratorium be imposed until we get these guidelines? We need to be fair to communities and when tackling climate change, the Government cannot just impose something that does not respect the voices of communities and their concerns.

The noise issue that the Deputy raised is important and it led to the delay because there was a change internationally last year, which led to a change in the directive that came from Europe. We have incorporated that into the draft guidelines and, as I said last week in the Chamber, they will go out for public consultation next week or the week after for a short period. While they are out for public consultation, planning authorities will have to take cognisance of them. They should all be finalised, therefore, within about a two-month period.