Caption: David Stanton TD (Fine Gael)
“I was advised by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation that IDA Ireland are in ownership of the former Amgen site outside of Carrigtwohill. This is a very large site in a very strategic location in East Cork along the N25 and I would hope would be very attractive to businesses.
“I understand that this site was first acquired by IDA in 2005 with Amgen entering into a contract for the site in 2006. Planning permission was then sought and site groundworks begun in late 2006. In October 2007, Amgen announced that its plans for this site were on hold but agreed to maintain the site. Amgen subsequently decided that the project would not proceed and ownership reverted to IDA in January 2010, as per the terms of the initial site agreement.
“I would urge IDA Ireland and the Minister for Enterprise to step up efforts to find a suitable industrial investor for the site. The East Cork area has been very seriously hit by the economic downturn and the latest figures from the CSO show more than 6,200 people are signing on in Cobh, Midleton and Youghal. These figures do not take into account the hundreds who have been forced to emigrate from the area in search of work.
“More must be done to create employment in this area. Securing a large multi-national business for the former Amgen site could create thousands of jobs for the area.
