INVESTMENT PACKAGE:TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has attacked the Opposition for being a perennial part of the "bad news brigade".
He also said that people were beginning to get “fed up” with the negativity of Fine Gael and Labour.
Mr Cowen was outlining plans for a new €70 million investment package in the sheep and beef processing sectors which he said would create an additional 800 jobs between now and 2012.
The Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith, announced details of the capital investment in 15 projects at a press conference in Portlaoise, Co Laois, yesterday.
The grant-aid scheme will benefit 15 projects in the beef and sheepmeat processing sectors.
The Government contribution of €69 million will result in an additional investment of €100 million by the industry. There are hopes that it will increase exports by over €400 million within the next four years.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Cowen denied that the announcement amounted to electioneering, and said it was on the basis of a detailed scheme designed and planned by Government departments and State agencies.
“The cynics are those in the Opposition who seem to be so addicted to being part of the bad news brigade that they won’t allow us to put out any good news at all,” he said.
The Taoiseach added that investing in a bigger, modern and more efficient processing sector would make the economy more competitive and create jobs.
“The Opposition leader is pouring cold water on this investment in a primary industry that’s of importance for the whole country.
“I don’t share that assessment of negativity of which frankly I think the people are getting fed up.”
Mr Smith accepted that the 15 per cent devaluation in sterling had had a big impact on the food and drink sectors.
“The State has no control over sterling, and 46 per cent of food and beverage exports goes to Britain.
“That poses particular difficulties for an exporting country,” he said.
“Britain is a huge market for us. As I said, 97 per cent of all our exports goes to EU countries. An upturn in world economy would be beneficial for everybody.
“Prime cuts [of meat] are not literally the flavour of the month they were 18 months ago because of the cost factor.”
The beef and sheepmeat industries have an annual turnover of €3 billion and employ 10,000 people directly.
The successful applications included three AIBP facilities at Cahir, Co Tipperary; Clones, Co Monaghan; and in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Two Dawn Meats facilities were chosen; in Grannagh, Co Waterford, and in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
Liffey Meats, Donegal Meats, Kepak and Slaney Foods were among the other grant recipients.
The biggest capital project is Kilbeggan Abattoir Services Ltd which is building a €25 million facility in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath.