Sinn Féin spokespersons on the Environment and Energy, Brian Stanley TD and Michael Colreavy TD and EU election candidate Councillor Matt Carthy, has handed in a submission on proposed changes to guidelines on wind farms.

The document contains detailed proposals on setback distances, noise and shadow flicker. It also calls for a moratorium on the proposed giant wind farm project in the midlands until domestic electricity requirements are met.

-- Advertisement --

The Sinn Féin representatives made a joint statement saying: "Our submission outlines Sinn Féin proposals regarding the planning requirements for any future proposed wind farms. Among these we propose that a set back distance of ten times the height of a turbine be required, and that the Government not be allowed over-ride local authority development plans by referring wind farm proposals to the Strategic Infrastructure Board.

"We are also calling for the proposed wind farm project to export electricity to Britain to be put on hold, given that we believe it does not make economic sense and also cuts across this country's own need to replace its dependence on imported fossil fuels with domestically generated renewable energy."

(CD/JP)