This goes back to when the Tánaiste was Taoiseach and we had a meeting about wind farms. He was asked five parliamentary questions. He responded to two immediately, delayed the response to two more, which came to him on 22 October, until the day of the election and has yet to respond to one.

That is a bit unfair.

We asked him to clarify for how many years wind farm applications have been approved without HSE oversight. We asked why An Bord Pleanála ceased informing the HSE of such applications, whether An Bord Pleanála was instructed to stop the practice and who is responsible for ensuring public health risks are properly assessed in the planning process. Why were responses to parliamentary questions published on 22 October regarding HSE involvement in wind farm planning delayed for five weeks, held by the Tánaiste's then Department and only referred to the HSE on the day of the general election? We requested that the outstanding question be fully answered. We asked the Taoiseach to state the Government's official position on the health impact of wind farms given the absence of HSE input in the planning process and growing concerns for affected communities.

Planners lack the expertise to assess public health risks. Why did An Bord Pleanála stop informing the HSE? Was it instructed to stop? Who was liable? What is the State's position on wind farms and their health impacts?

The High Court has ruled that wind turbine noise is a nuisance. Will the Tánaiste provide a written response confirming whether wind farm noise at 43 dB (A) LA90 is considered a statutory nuisance? Does the Government reject the High Court's judgment on wind turbine noise being a nuisance?

Before the Tánaiste answers my questions, I wish to point out that the guidelines relating to wind farms have not been updated since 2006. There is video evidence from 2013 of the current Taoiseach asking Enda Kenny, one of his predecessors, to have the guidelines updated. I have a written version of Deputy Martin's concerns at the time. Since then, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have been in government for a number of years but the guidelines have not been updated. This is despite the fact that there are health risks involved. Will the Tánaiste provide the written reply I have requested? Will he also respond to my other questions?

I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for the question. I also thank him for meeting me and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney and for bringing some of his constituents to see me about this issue. The stress, anxiety and worry of the people the Deputy brought to meet me are experiencing was very clear. I acknowledge that. Before we get into science, guidelines and everything else, I accept the bona fides of the people concerned and the worry and stress they have experienced. They spoke to me about the impact this was having on them. This is one of the reasons why we have explicitly stated in the programme for Government that there is a need to make progress regarding updated guidelines. I accept that this has gone on for far too long. It has been talked about for a long number of years. I will reply in writing to each of the specific questions the Deputy asked. I thank him for suggesting I do that.

The idea of the HSE being a notifiable organisation is common sense. That would certainly assist in closing the loop in terms of some of the issues that people have raised regarding the guidelines.

The factual position is that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is progressing a focused review of the wind energy development guidelines. The review is examining a number of key aspects, including noise, setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation and dividend and grid connections. It is working in conjunction with the Department of Climate, Environment and Communications, which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters. Both Departments have been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the guidelines, which, I am informed, is highly technical in nature. The Departments have also been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose, having regard to various targets that have been set. Further to this engagement, I am informed that the Department of Climate, Environment and Communication appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to work on amendments to those aspects of the guidelines. I am also informed that this work is now substantially complete.

The Department of housing, in conjunction with the Department of communications, will make any further changes to the draft guidelines that are deemed necessary. Once they are published, there will be an opportunity for people to engage in respect of the guidelines. This is fair, because we have had new planning legislation, including the new Planning and Development Act and the national planning framework. We need to make sure that the finalised guidelines are in line with that legislation and the new national planning framework. While the current guidelines remain in force, the work on new wind guidelines is under way and being accelerated. I will provide the Deputy with written answers to each of the specific matters he raised.

I thank the Tánaiste. I am going to go back to what the Taoiseach, Deputy Martin, said in 2013. Before I do, I must state that the Government is taking information on health issues from producers and manufacturers and ignoring World Health Organization guidelines. In 2013, the Taoiseach, Deputy Martin, referred to a full absence of transparency, an absence of consultation with residents and, above all, the absence of a legislative framework, health implications in terms of noise, shadow flicker, a reduction in amenities and a negative visual impact. He quoted Professor Alun Evans, who wrote in the British Medical Journal: "I greatly sympathise with you in your plight. Quite simply your life will be ruined if this goes ahead." The Taoiseach went on to say that the planning guidelines of 2006 were outdated in terms of the framework for the new technology. He requested that we accelerate the process. That was 12 years ago. People and their families have suffered health implications. Communities have been devastated. With all due respect, accelerating matters after 12 years gives me no hope for the future.

I have acknowledged that this has gone on for a very long time. That is true, and there is no getting away from it. I have also tried to provide, which I accept may be cold comfort to some of the Deputy's constituents and people he has interacted with, some of the rationale behind that, including the evolving planning legislation, the national planning framework and, more crucially perhaps, the bringing in of experts to examine the issue of noise from a technical point of view to get the guidelines right.

I take on board the seriousness of this matter. It became very apparent to me when I saw the people who have experienced the stresses and strains of dealing with this.

Will you give us a timeline?

I will ask the new Minister, Deputy Browne, to provide the Deputy with a timeline and to write to him regarding this matter.