I raise the ongoing issue of price inflation and the energy crisis we are in the middle of at this time. I noted comments the Taoiseach made in an interview in Brussels yesterday on the need to accelerate offshore wind energy provision. What did he mean by that and how does he plan to do it? The wind energy guidelines have been in place since 2005 and still have not been updated by the Minister. I ask the Taoiseach for an update on what is planned to be done in terms of that legislation.

What I said related to offshore wind generation permitting systems. A recent analysis by the European Union estimated that it can take eight years from concept to get an offshore wind farm installed. The European Commission, in its REPowerEU plan, which was presented to the European Council yesterday, and in its communication to the Council, has said it is looking at introducing a regulation or framework that would enable national governments, with their local authorities, to fast-track their permitting systems, instruments or mechanisms to enable wind farms to happen more quickly. There is a bit of work to be done on this yet by the Commission but the concept of overriding public interest will prevail. There invariably are objections and tensions around some of the environmental concerns relating to wind farms. However, the overwhelming need to construct them in order to deal with climate issues will take precedence.

Thank you, Taoiseach. The time is up.

That is the thinking of the Commission, which I agree with, in order to get things moving much faster. The guidelines to which the Deputy referred relate to onshore wind energy.