Fine Gael Chairman Charlie Flanagan has called for stud farms to be given special status in consideration of wind farm planning applications.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, during the Private Members' Debate on wind turbines, Flanagan called for stud farms and racehorse training facilities to be designated as "noise sensitive properties" when planning applications are being considered for wind farm developments.

He said: "The bloodstock industry is worth over €1 billion to our economy. Ireland is a world leader in this field and the industry provides direct employment to over 14,000 people. We must not allow this to be jeopardised by the development of wind farms here.

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"I have listened to the concerns of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) and other leading industry bodies about the construction of wind farms in the Midlands region. Thoroughbred horses by their nature are very sensitive animals and industry experts have voiced their concerns over the potential risks involved. It is my view, therefore, that bloodstock operations must be designated as noise sensitive properties.

"The majority of stud farms and training operations are located in rural areas where wind farms are being proposed. The revised guidelines state that wind turbines must be located at least 500 metres from any property. However, the expert care of the bloodstock must not be compromised by the construction and operation of wind turbines in such close proximity.

"The perceived benefits that may be derived from wind farms would be considerably outweighed by the adverse impacts that they could have on the bloodstock industry as a whole. This would be most acutely felt in rural areas where significant employment and economic activity has been generated by the industry.

"We must listen to the concerns of the bloodstock industry when they argue that the proposed construction of wind farms near thoroughbred operations would have a detrimental effect on the future viability of the sector."

(JP/MH)