The set back distances included in the Government's proposed Wind Farm Guidelines have been described as "totally inadequate" by Sinn Fein.

Spokesperson on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Brian Stanley TD said the guidelines "don't go far enough" and "give no protection to rural dwellers".

He said: "A guideline for giant turbines to be set back a distance of only four times their height is useless. In practice this means that a huge turbine over 150 metres in height need only be set back 600 metres from houses.

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"This will not be acceptable to residents. Only the wind farm developers will be delighted with this.

"The proposed guidelines do not include a requirement that wind turbines can only be located in areas zoned for that purpose by County Councillors in County Development Plans.

"The Government needs to strengthen these and implement them as soon as possible. Rural communities across this island should not have to endure monster turbines being constructed on top of their homes."

(CD/LM)