Sinn Féin has hit out at Fianna Fail after the party rejected its Wind Turbine Bill.

MEP Matt Carthy accused Fianna Fail of "rank hypocrisy".

He said: "The Wind Turbine Bill brought forward by my colleague Brian Stanley TD aimed to ensure that community consultation was central to the development of wind energy in Ireland.

"It provided for minimum setback distances and optional co-ownership for local residents.

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"At local level, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are calling for such measures. In many cases, councillors from these parties reject the development of any wind turbines at all.

"These parties are marked by double standards and rank hypocrisy when it comes this issue and many others affecting rural Ireland.

"Time after time, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil TDs betray the interests of rural Ireland. This is just the latest example.

"We need a proper legal framework for wind farm development which allows for the development of this industry but which also respects the rights of residents in Rural Ireland."

(CD/MH)