An Taisce and Glanbia appeal
Mattie McGrath attacked An Taisce’s judicial review and appeal over a Glanbia planning decision, saying jobs and farmers were at risk and calling for a debate. The Taoiseach said the project was economically important, had been through the courts, and should face no further appeals.
I want to ask the Taoiseach, as I did a number of weeks ago, about the role of An Taisce in planning. At that time, the Taoiseach suggested there were too many judicial reviews. An Taisce had taken a judicial review against the permission Glanbia had been granted by Kilkenny County Council and An Bord Pleanála, with additional licences from the Environmental Protection Agency. Now it has decided, after an overwhelming result against it in the High Court judicial review, to appeal this decision again in the courts. This is costing hundreds of jobs. There will be 100 jobs in the plant and suppliers from throughout the south east and mid-west will supply it. It will be operated by a Dutch company and Glanbia and will manufacture cheddar cheese.
Comment on this
I want a debate on this issue. An Taisce gets €2.5 million annually from various Government agencies and it is causing havoc in rural Ireland. Deputy Kelly asked a question about An Bord Pleanála. An Bord Pleanála sided with the application. It involves jobs and the livelihoods of young farmers are at stake. We cannot have a non-governmental organisation, an NGO, causing this kind of havoc and using taxpayers' money to destroy taxpayers.