BUSINESS LEADERS in the Republic's Border region have expressed disappointment over the loss of a €60 million biomass energy plant to the North.
Planning permission was refused by An Bord Pleanála for the plant, described as the largest in Europe.
The plant was proposed by the Co Monaghan firm of Monopower Limited at Emyvale near Monaghan town, but it emerged last week that plans for a similar type of plant were approved for Glenavy in Co Antrim.
Maurice McCarron, a spokesman for Monopower Limited, said: "It is very disappointing to see such a major project being lost to the Republic."
The Fine Gael TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Seymour Crawford, also expressed his disappointment: "This is a huge loss to the local economy. The siting of such a plant in the Republic would have had a huge advantage for farmers in the Republic, especially all engaged in the poultry industry, through the disposal of waste and the recycling to create energy".
He said it was "also a disgrace" to see a suitable site for such a major plant now lying idle near the Border in Co Monaghan.