Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin failed to give satisfactory reasons for the closure of the Mallow sugar beet plant, it was claimed yesterday.
Labour Party TD Joe Sherlock criticised the Government's negotiating stance at EU talks on the future of the sugar industry. He said it was clear the Government had sought an enhanced compensation package without considering the future of the entire industry.
Mr Sherlock, who was speaking after a delegation of local political, trade union and farm representatives from north Cork met the Taoiseach yesterday, said: "Neither the Taoiseach, the Minister for Agriculture, nor the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment gave a satisfactory account of the reasons that led to the announcement of the imminent closure of the Greencore plant."
Instead, they concentrated on talking about the future business development of Mallow, as the decision has been taken already that there is nothing more they can do for those 330 employees who will be made redundant in May, said the Cork East TD.
"With Greencore blaming the closure on the reforms agreed by EU agriculture ministers in December, the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, is obliged to account for the negotiating stance she adopted at that time, not a word of which was mentioned today," Mr Sherlock said. "All Minister Coughlan could say was that growers, Greencore and contractors would be provided for during the restructuring phase, but not employees," he added.
"It is clear that Ireland voted for a package of measures that sealed the fate of the industry, yet Finland negotiated a special deal to ensure the survival of its beet industry," Mr Sherlock said.
"The Taoiseach and Minister Coughlan have failed to account for the position of the Government last December that led to the demise of the industry. I am determined to pursue them on this matter until a full explanation is supplied," he concluded.
Mallow Sinn Féin councillor Willie O'Regan, who also attended the meeting, said it was vital that the Taoiseach initiate measures to undo the damage which had been done to the industry and the town by the closure.
He said the processing of bio-fuel crops at the plant should be considered as an alternative to closure.