"We are currently considering the development of a manufacturing facility. We're still in the process of doing our due diligence, and no final decisions have been made, " said Coca Cola communications director Crystal Walker.

A government spokesperson refused to comment on Coca Cola's plans.

It is understood that the company has earmarked a greenfield site at Drinagh, near Wexford town for the new plant but Walker said It would be "premature to discuss any further details" about the proposed new development.

Coca Cola already has several manufacturing sites in Ireland, including soft drink concentrate plants in Drogheda, Athy and Ballina and a bottling operation in Belfast.

Wexford was one of the locations considered for the concentrate plant which ultimately went to Ballina in 1998 but it may now gain a new manufacturing plant.

It is understood the mooted Wexford factory will not be a soft drink concentrate plant and that the company is still considering a range of possible options. Walker said reports which appeared in several local papers in Wexford last week speculating that Coke was to open a 100m concentrate plant which would employ 100 people were "very far from accurate".