Minister Kelly is proposing a set-back of 700m, a significant increase on the 500m restriction which currently exists.

He is due to publish new planning guidelines on wind farms shortly, RTÉ's This Week programme revealed. This comes after a consultation process which received more than 7,000 submissions. A number of concerns were also raised by TDs and senators.

The proposal also includes a "height to distance matrix". This means the higher the turbine is, the greater the distance it must be from a residential dwelling.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Labour TD for Longford/Westmeath Willie Penrose said the proposal will be discussed this week. He is a vocal critic of wind turbines across the country.

"I oppose the position of wind farms across the rural landscape," he said. "The whole thing is an economic catastrophe and I think companies have little regard for rural communities. The economic contribution of wind farms is overblown, in my opinion.

"This isn't on the agenda in the new proposal, but I also hope to see a curtailment on the height of turbines."

Last week An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for Coillte’s 48 Turbine Cluddaun Wind Farm in Moygownagh, Co Mayo.