Mr. Chris McGarry:

We are duty bound to have regard to the guidelines that exist. We can have some consideration for what might be in a draft but our first obligation is to look at the guidelines that exist. There are other elements, such as development plan policy and ministerial objectives, and under section 143 of the Act we can take these into account. The simple answer to the question is that we continue to make decisions in an ever-changing environment. There is no point in saying we could close the door and wait for policy to be perfect because it never is. We understand why guidelines have to change. We would welcome updates, of course, and we make use of them as soon as they come through. In the meantime, it does not stop us making decisions. As Deputy O'Hara knows from the broader court environment, there are other interpretations of how particular legislation, such as the climate Act, would have an effect on wind energy development. We have to be mindful of all of this layering of complexity that sits on top of our cases but we keep moving ahead and making decisions in any case. We will welcome any update to the guidelines and we will make use of them with immediate effect.