Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has defended Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s comments in the Dáil calling on An Taisce to “cease” its objections to a planned cheese plant by Glanbia, calling on both sides to find “common ground”. 

“I echo and support the Taoiseach’s comments on the matter. Neither I nor the rest of the Government can interfere in the planning process.

“Now appears to be the right time to draw a line under the situation and move on – further disruption and conflict will not serve our sector or, indeed, our country well as it could impact on our reputation as being an open and FDI-friendly country.”

The minister said the Glanbia and Royal A-Wear development is a Brexit mitigation investment aimed at using the current milk pool to diversify into new product ranges such as soft cheeses.

"Ireland faces enormous challenges in the aftermath of Brexit. This is a crucial aspect of our economy in the post-Brexit world where we must diversify away from certain products and markets as a way of ensuring the long-term viability of farm families.

“I know Glanbia and An Taisce have been in contact and I would urge both sides to engage meaningfully to find common ground for the good of our farmers, our economy and our environment.”

He said that as Agriculture Minister, he sees first-hand how committed farmers and the wider sector are to delivering on climate change ambitions. “Farmers are following Government policy and are very conscious of their environmental obligations.”

It comes as Mr Martin was accused of behaving like Donald Trump in seeking to have an independent agency do his bidding.

Paul Murphy of People Before Profit was referring to Mr Martin’s comments in the Dáil that An Taisce should not make an appeal against a planning permission for the new Glanbia plant in Kilkenny.

"I would like to point out that the Taoiseach’s behaviour in relation to An Taisce is reminiscent of Trump,” Mr Murphy said.

The Taoiseach was also accused of contradicting himself by the Social Democrats, with TD Holly Cairns saying he had told her to keep away from planning issues when she raised a proposed development on the site of the Bessborough mother and baby home.

Mr Martin came under pressure after Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman of the Green Party said on Morning Ireland that it was “generally” better for politicians to keep out of the planning process. He had been asked about his party colleague Steven Matthews’ criticism of the Taoiseach’s Dáil comments.

Ms Cairns asked whether the remarks on An Taisce / Glanbia were “an appropriate thing from a Taoiseach”.

She added: “I presume you're aware Glanbia is in partnership with a Dutch company. And in the past few years Holland has reduced its herd by 190,000, while we have increased ours by half a million. It seems Holland has actively found a country with low environmental standards and low milk prices.

“You have framed this development of profits going abroad as a positive step for Irish agriculture. Farmers deserve more respect.”

The Taoiseach replied: “First of all, I never said to you that it was inappropriate for politicians to act. Because obviously politicians every day of the week write to planning authorities. They're entitled to make observations. That's a fact.”

Explaining his An Taisce comments, he said: “This is a political. This is a parliament, and we're entitled to articulate perspectives.”

Glanbia has said it is disappointed An Taisce – which has a statutory role in planning matters – intends appealing a High Court decision the grant permission for the plant at Belview Science and Technology Park in Kilkenny.

Meanwhile the issue was raised at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party this evening, which heard claims that what An Taisce was doing was “treacherous” and the fact they were doing it with public money was a “disgrace”.

Several TDs spoke in support of the Taoiseach after Green Party criticism, with Jackie Cahill TD saying he had issues with the advisory council envisaged under the Climate Change Bill, legislation that is close to the heart of their Green partners in Government.

He said Fianna Fáil needs a ‘sit down’ on that with the Greens. He also said dairy was vital to the country’s national interests and the new Glanbia plant was essential to its advancement.

TD John McGuinness supported Mr Cahill on Glanbia, while Senator Timmy Dooley said the plant had nothing to do with An Taisce and the environmental body "should have had no role whatsoever in this”.

Jennifer Murnane O’Connor supported her constituency colleague in Carlow-Kilkenny, Mr McGuinness, on the Glanbia issue.

Party chairman Brendan Smith supported the Taoiseach on his remarks about the Glanbia plant. He said that if the message goes out internationally that major investments for multinational companies are being prevented in Ireland, then it would not augur well for this country and our reputation abroad.

Meanwhile TD Barry Cowen, a former agriculture minister, is to introduce a Bill to the Dáil tomorrow seeking to put a statutory time limit on decisions made by An Bord Pleanála.

He told the meeting: “The existing time period is no friend to those affected by the housing crisis. I am aware of Bord Pleanála decisions that are dragging on for 18 months and more, and it shouldn’t be tolerated any further.”

He said An Bord Pleanála nominally has 12 weeks to make decisions, but this timeframe is not honoured, while the local authorities must produce a decision within eight weeks on an application being lodged.