A Co Limerick alumina refinery, which has been at the centre of allegations over human and animal health concerns, is the most highly regulated business of its type in the world, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, claimed yesterday.
Mr Ahern made his comments during a visit to the Aughinish Alumina plant on the Shannon Estuary where he viewed the facility's new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant currently being built.
The CHP, which is due come on stream at the end of next year, represents an investment of €125 million, and has created 250 construction jobs.
Last week farmers in the Askeaton area criticised the Taoiseach's visit to the Aughinish refinery, claiming that neither he nor his Ministers had ever visited them to hear about their concerns over animal deaths and human ill-health.
The Cappagh Farmers group has been calling for an inquiry into the State's handling of unexplained animal deaths. It claims that some 1,500 animals have died mysteriously in the past decade. A €5 million inquiry carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency failed to find any link between local industry and the ill-health of animals.
Speaking at Aughinish yesterday Mr Ahern said he considered health issues "very important" and had nothing against them being investigated by the relevant bodies. "This plant is considered to be the most regulated plant in this business in the entire world.
"Naturally I view the health issue as very important, and the Mid-Western Health Board is very involved in these issues," said Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern described the construction of the new CHP plant as a "milestone in electricity generation in Ireland", adding that it represented the biggest investment in Aughinish's 21-year history.
Managing director of Aughinish Alumina, Mr Damien Clancy, said it had long been the dream to have a CHP at Aughinish.
The company has 700 on-site employees and it contributes €91 million annually to the local economy.