Glanbia plant and An Taisce appeal
Mattie McGrath sought intervention over legal challenges and a possible European appeal against the Glanbia plant in south Kilkenny, saying the project was vital for jobs and farmers. The Taoiseach praised the project but said it was in the judicial process and he would not comment further.
I asked the Taoiseach some months ago about An Taisce appealing decisions of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, An Bord Pleanála and Kilkenny County Council regarding the Glanbia plant in south Kilkenny. The plant is badly needed, as young farmers have big commitments and borrowings. There have been three challenges in the High Court to date. Will the Taoiseach do something to get the An Taisce monkey off the backs of the people? It is getting €6 million in funding every year from all kinds of sources. There is now a rumour that it may appeal to Europe. This plant will be lost. It involves a high-end plant with 120 jobs and is a massive construction project. Above all, we are transporting milk from the south east all over the country, even up to the North. Where is the carbon footprint there? We must deal with An Taisce. I know the Taoiseach's intervention last year was very helpful. Something must be done. Either the Taoiseach or his Ministers must meet An Taisce and ensure its status as a prescribed body is removed or it is banished altogether because it has outlived its usefulness and it is destroying people's lives.
Comment on this
I made my position clear on this project, which is a very good one and is very important for the region in respect of the creation of jobs, but it will also provide welcome diversification given Brexit and the need to bring more diversity into cheese products. It is a joint venture with Royal A-ware, a specialist cheese processor in the Netherlands and Belgium, which would be very advantageous to our farmers, many of whom invested on the basis of this project coming through. The project is in the judicial process so I do not want to comment.
Comment on this
I know, but I still do not want to comment on what may transpire, other than to say, as I said previously, that people need to look at all of the issues with balance and perspective, in particular in terms of the economic development of the region.
