Minister ‘failed to protect’ Greencore’s potential

THE Government’s failure to use its ‘exceptional powers’ to protect the productive potential at Greencore’s sugar plants will mean the loss of major strategic assets for Carlow, Mallow and the whole country, according to Labour leader Pat Rabbitte.

Mr Rabbitte accused Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan of giving a partial and misleading account this week of her role in the dismantling of the Irish sugar industry and the agreement of an ‘extraordinarily generous’ compensation package for Greencore.

He said the minister has exceptional powers available to her under the Articles of Association of Greencore and as the holder of a ‘golden share’ in the company she should have protected the assets of the company from falling into the hands of property speculators.