While solar energy has an important role to play in achieving Ireland's renewable energy targets, there is growing concern across Galway about the scale and location of proposed solar farm developments. Many constituents have raised concerns about solar proposals, including the projects being pursued on productive, top-tier agricultural farmland and in close proximity to rural homes and communities. The closest panels in the case of the Lackagh proposal in County Galway are within 50 m of some homes and within 100 m of other homes in a local estate. Councillor David Collins held a meeting last Tuesday regarding local concerns, including the impact of construction traffic on the local school, the proximity of the proposal and the future expansion of Lackagh village, which I attended. In line with the commitment contained in the programme for Government, will the Minister provide an update on when the solar energy guidelines will be published and commenced? Will we see guidelines this year, or will they be put on the long finger, as the wind guidelines were? Does she accept that clear planning guidance is required urgently? Will the Government consider a temporary moratorium for large-scale solar projects?

I agree with the Deputy on both fronts. I think we all agree that we need to invest more in renewable energies. We need to invest more in offshore wind and in solar of all types, not just on land but on roofs and on our public sector and service buildings. We also need to engage with communities and make sure that we get this right. What the Deputy has outlined in his county is a similar concern that I have in my own county where a huge number of solar farms have been approved and more applications are coming in. It is important that we get that balance right. We all support the expansion of renewable energy. We know we need more of it given all of the discussion we have had this morning on fuel prices, the increase in prices and how we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels but, at the same time, we need to make sure that there is guidance. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is leading on this and he is working closely with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Department of housing. The intention from the Department of housing is to issue the national planning statement specifically on this, akin to guidance, and that work is under way. I do not have a direct timeline for the Deputy, but like him I would like to see it happen as quickly as possible. I would like to see it to continue to engage with communities so that any expansion can be done in a managed and appropriate way.