Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am amazed by the Minister's response to a previous question on the publication of the wind energy guidelines. He seemed to brush over the urgent need for publication of same by saying it is no secret that there is a disagreement between him and his Cabinet colleague in respect of it. This is an extremely important issue, on which thousands of people made submissions and which affects communities the length and breadth of this country. It is not getting priority from Government. In the past couple of weeks there have been rumours that the export of energy is now back on the agenda. Any developer could put in a planning application under 2006 wind energy guidelines, which we all agree are totally outdated. A Government backbencher published legislation on this over two years ago and nothing has been done on it. We need to know categorically when the wind energy guidelines will be published, so that we have robust legislation to ensure communities are protected and that we can utilise wind energy as a resource.

I understand the independent children's rapporteur report has been with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs since February. It is usually published before the summer recess. We are now well into the autumn session and it has yet to be publicised.

On the planning need for modular homes, it is unbelievable that a woman was brought to court for having a satellite dish over her front door-----

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