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North Cork is back in contention this week as the site for a new sugar factory. Photo: 123RF

North Cork is back in contention this week as the site for a new sugar factory. Four potential locations in the county have now been identified by Cork County Council and have been forwarded to Beet Ireland for consideration. Cork County Council however won't disclose the four proposed locations, citing commercial sensitivities.

The news couldn't have come at a better time as European Union negotiators agreed on Wednesday to end sugar quotas from 2017, paving the way for Ireland to recommence sugar beet growing and sugar production.

Back in February, Beet Ireland were said to be seriously considering siting their new factory at Lisheen Mines in Co Tipperary when the mine stops production later this year or early next year. Local councillor Noel McCarthy came out at the time however saying army land at Kilworth Camp should be considered and urging the county council to make the case for it to be sited there or, if not, at some other suitable north Cork location. He stressed the job creation potential and urged all parties to work together to bring the factory to north Cork.

News of the four sites put forward to Beet Ireland came this week on foot of a motion tabled for an area committee meeting by Cllr McCarthy and Cllr Frank O'Flynn asking the county manager to give members a detailed progress report on the identification of suitable sites. In response, Senior Executive Officer at the Economic Development Unit, Noel O'Driscoll advised them of the four sites proposed to Beet Ireland. He said the council would provide any further information and guidance that is required, particularly when Beet Ireland has narrowed the potential site selection and wishes to engage in detailed planning and environmental assessments. Further meetings are planned with Beet Ireland.

Cllr Noel McCarthy welcomed the news.  He asked that, if Beet Ireland doesn't go with any of the four proposed sites, they be offered unzoned sites for consideration. He said his own preferred choice is still  land owned by the Department of Defence in Kilworth Camp.

"I think Kilworth would be an ideal location as it's near the motorway. But if it's not chosen I hope one of the other three locations will be." The Kilworth site isn't zoned for such a development. It's understood the lack of a substantial water supply is also a factor. Cllr McCarthy said however that the most important thing is that the factory will come to Cork, given the hundreds of jobs it would generate. "We should do everything we can to make this happen," he stressed.

Cllr O'Flynn also said unzoned land should be looked at if none of the four proposed sites were found to be suitable by Beet Ireland.

"In times of crisis, opportunity presents itself. We should not leave this out of our grasp, we should do everything we can to ensure it is secured for Cork," Cllr O'Flynn told The Avondhu, following the meeting. He said north Cork and particularly the Moorepark area of Fermoy, has much going for it including the proximity of the research and development facilities of Teagasc Moorepark, the excellent road network and high quality land for beet growing.

"It's absolutely ideal. We have the Blackwater river close by and the gas pipeline adjacent. It'd be within easy reach of Tipperary, Kilkenny and Cork. It would be a tremendous boost. I will do everything in my power to secure this for north Cork," he vowed.

Other councillors though were equally keen to see the new sugar factory, which it is estimated will cost between €350 and €400M, come to their areas. Councillors Ronan Sheehan, Noel O'Connor and Kevin O'Keeffe strongly believe the factory should be established on the original site in Mallow as it had an EPA licence, a rail link and was situated close to the roads network. Cllr Tim Collins favoured that option too, saying it would help employment in places like Newmarket and Kanturk. The Amgen site near Carrigtwohill was mooted by Clr Gerry Kelly who said it was fully serviced, close to main roads and near the Cork-Midleton railway line.

The county manager, Martin Riordan confirmed that transport and traffic will be major issues along with environmental considerations. Zoned land would be looked at first, he told them.

In welcoming news of the decision to dismantle quotas governing sugar production on Wednesday, Fine Gael TD Tom Barry said it was 'fantastic news'.

"I, along with others, have fought tirelessly for a number of years to reverse the decision of Ireland's exclusion from sugar production. The aboliton of sugar quotas now opens the door for sugar production once again in Ireland and I'm confident, when we secure a suitable site - hopefully in Cork - that we will see sugar produced here again by 2017."

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