A development which represents the single largest dairy investment in the history of the state is being opened today.

Glanbia will officially open a new nutritional ingredients plant in county Kilkenny.

The €185 million facility will produce ingredients for baby formula, to supply markets in Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

The Belview processing facility will be opened by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan today.

Earlier the pair arrived at the plant and had a photo-op

(Video: Páraic Gallagher/Newstalk)

The CEO of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, Jim Bergin, says the development comes ahead of a unique opportunity for Ireland’s export market, with the removal of EU milk quotas, at the start of next month.

Agriculture and Food Minister Simon Coveney spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning. He started by saying Glanbia's new plant "is huge for both rural and urban Ireland":

Originally posted at 7.30am