A Fine Gael TD has told the Dáil that many people believe the "development of mass areas of solar farms" could be contributing to the "marked increase" in bovine tuberculosis (TB) cases in Ireland.

The TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, Catherine Callaghan, who is a farmer and business owner, raised the issue of what she described as the "proliferation of solar farms" across Co. Carlow in the Dáil with the Tánaiste.

Deputy Callaghan said she wanted to make it clear that she knew no one in Carlow who was "against renewable energy regeneration".

"Nor are we against our neighbours and friends who make a living from having wind or solar farms on their lands," she added.

However, the TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, said what was urgently needed is "regulation" of solar farm developments.

"In the area surrounding Rathoe village, though, there will potentially soon be in excess of 1,000 acres of solar farms," she said.

Deputy Callaghan also highlighted in the Dáil that the Programme for Government committed "to completing the second phase of the land use review, which aims to balance environmental, social and economic considerations".

She added: "Anecdotally, wildlife is being disturbed with the development of mass areas of solar farms and many believe that this could be contributing to the marked increase we see in TB cases throughout the country.

She asked the Tánaiste to let her know when "we will see solar and wind farms being regulated?"

In response Simon Harris said that the issue of solar farm development is one that has been raised with him often and he also acknowledged that people "want to have a rational understanding of how we best use the land in our communities with all of the various competing interests".

The Tánaiste did not respond to Deputy Callaghan's comments on TB but he said the final report for the second phase of the land use review was submitted to the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on May 2.

"The review describes current land use patterns and the various demands on land on delivering on our national commitments.

"The ministers will now, before reporting to government, consider the report, which I understand to be substantial, with a lot of work, research and consultation over the last four years," he added.

However according to Simon Harris he did not at that time have a "definitive timeline" as to when the report would come to government.

Separately last week the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food heard that the cost of the current TB programme is expected to hit €130 million in 2025.