Barry Cowen demands explanation for setback to Offaly beef factory plan

Some of the investors involved applied under the immigrant investor programme, open to applicants who invest more than €1 million

Former Agriculture Minister  Barry Cowen, left, with his successor  Dara Calleary. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Ex-Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen has demanded documentation to show why an evaluation committee shot down an immigrant investment programme application by an investor planning to set up a meat processing plant at Banagher, Co Offaly.

The immigrant investment programme was introduced by the Government in 2012 to encourage inward investment from outside Europe, including making a secure residency status in the State available for investors and certain categories of family members.