Taoiseach calls on An Taisce to 'cease' its objection to Glanbia cheese plant

"Now they have decided after an overwhelming result against them in the High Court to appeal that decision. This is costing hundreds of jobs. Worse than that, suppliers in the south east supply this plant, a valuable plant...to manufacture cheddar cheese," McGrath said.

He called for a debate on the funding of An Taisce, which he said, is getting €2.5m annually from different Government agencies and claimed they are “causing a wreck in rural Ireland”.

The Taoiseach said his position remains very clear on the issue.

“That project is of immense economic importance to the region, but also to the dairy industry and to the expansion of the dairy industry.

"I would appeal that there would be no further appeals against this project now, given the fact that the courts have ruled very clearly in relation to it and that many, many jobs depend on it.

"There has to be balance in terms of how we all behave in society. We can't all be absolutist in pursuit of our own objectives to the exclusion of the wellbeing of others in society. And I think the balance has been tipped in the wrong scale here now, completely and it will create division."

Tipperary TD Michael Lowry said he was "glad the Taoiseach understands the necessity to intervene through legislation in regard to this matter.

"We have a situation here where we have vexatious, spurious objections, deliberately obstructing and holding up investment by Glanbia, which is impacting on the ability to create jobs and impacting on their ability to expand and having a detrimental consequence for the farmers that are supplying Glanbia. I think this needs to be resolved. I think it's time An Taisce were reined in and we have to do that here through changing our planning laws."

Meanwhile the Green Party sparked fresh coalitions tensions by criticising the Taoiseach’s call on An Taisce to cease its objection to the Glanbia plant.

Green Party TD Steven Matthews, the chair of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, said: “I understand the frustration that some may have with lengthy planning and judicial matters, however I’m disappointed with An Taoiseach’s comments on An Taisce today.

"An Taisce have an important role in the protection of our natural environment and in sustainable land use and planning. They are a prescribed body in planning and are required to make submissions on certain planning applications.

"It would be preferable if politicians did not cast judgment on live planning matters or the right to judicial appeal.

“In many ways we suffer from a legacy of poor planning in this country. Inadequate and often poorly enforced rules have let us down – encouraging sprawl, developing in the wrong areas, and damaging our environment and heritage.

“An Taisce carries out extremely important work throughout this country in protecting our natural environment and architectural heritage. It works closely with schools on environmental education and water conservation through the Green Schools awards and every coastal community is delighted when awarded a Blue Flag which is also administered by An Taisce.

“The entire country has a collective challenge to address climate change and reduce our carbon emissions. This will require all sectors including industry, agriculture and environmental NGOs working closely together for a shared future and politicians across all parties need to lead with a unifying approach to this most serious challenge,” he said.

Earlier this week ICMSA president Pat McCormack said the State is fast approaching a ‘make your mind up moment’ on the question of enabling legal challenges to planning decisions that have already progressed tortuously through the planning process.

“The further court appeal against the Glanbia proposal at Belview is hugely concerning and damaging in terms of its uncertainty and delay over a vital project – not just for Glanbia’s suppliers, but for the whole economy of the Glanbia catchment area.

Last Friday, An Taisce confirmed its intention to seek leave to appeal the recent decision of the High Court dismissing its challenge against the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the development of the cheese processing plant.

The proposal is a joint venture between Glanbia and Dutch company Royal A-Ware at Belview in Co Kilkenny.

In a statement the National Trust for Ireland said: “Having considered the High Court judgment in detail we believe it raises points of law of exceptional importance which should be appealed in the public interest.

"These go to the fundamental legal obligations for environmental assessment in planning matters, in particular in relation to dairy processing.

“We are therefore compelled by our statutory role to seek an appeal based on concerns about the specific project, and the precedent this judgment might set in relation to other similar or comparable projects in the future."

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