Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no question but that the Minister of State's reply is extremely disappointing. We have moved on from a nod and a wink being given to wind farm developers to it being stated absolutely explicitly that the existing guidelines apply to those applications which are with An Bord Pleanála. This will come as a shock to some Fine Gael Deputies who earlier today informed us that the new guidelines would apply. It will certainly be a source of extreme annoyance to members of the public in north Meath that the cards are stacked against them, particularly because the guidelines to which the Minister of State refers really have no relevance regarding the kind of super-turbine it is proposed to build there. I am of the view that all planning existing applications should be the subject of a moratorium until the new guidelines are brought forward. When those guidelines emerge, we can then put in place a proper planning process. What is happening at present is completely improper.