Fianna Fail has once again called on the Government to publish new Wind Energy Development Guidelines as the current ones were published in 2006.

Councillor Joe Flaherty made the call as tne guidelines do not take into account developments that have taken place in the industry in recent years.

He said: "Now residents in the Killashee and Lanesboro area are very fearful about Bord na Móna proposals for a wind energy project that will feature 24 x 185m turbines (equivalent to an 85 storey building in height).

"During a recent meeting in Cooney's Hotel, Ballymahon, residents expressed concern about the environmental impact with an anticipated 100 tonnes of concrete needed to hold each turbine in place. The potential to exacerbate flooding problems in the area must also to be looked at.

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"The development is earmarked for a site that was previously flagged as a potential wilderness park in the County Development Plan. Residents are also concerned about potential sound, flicker and shadow issues.

"Worryingly, it now looks likely that Bord na Móna will apply directly to An Bord Pleanála for planning next month as a strategic investment project thereby the County Council's planning system. Residents’ reasonable concerns must be listened to,” argued Flaherty.

"Bord na Móna has been, to date, quite poor at engaging with the local community about this project. In my opinion, this is a major error on their part.

"Fine Gael has consistently failed to follow through on commitments to publish new wind energy guidelines. The failure to publish new guidelines means that new wind energy projects, such as the Derryadd project, will be based on outdated guidelines and protocols that are no longer fit for purpose. In 2006, no one saw 185m high turbines as a viable proposition yet that’s what Bord na Móna are proposing in 2018."

(CD/MH)