Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We will be making a week-long trip to the west coast, where we will meet a number of companies. This decision is disappointing for the region and the country, and particularly for the 79 staff directly affected. I am conscious that many of the employees left good jobs to work with Amgen because the company was seen as a significant opportunity for career advancement.

Amgen has informed us that it wants to maintain ownership of the site. We were not disappointed the company articulated that position because this is a volatile sector with a cyclical nature. In terms of the site issues raised by Deputy Stanton, consultations are ongoing between the county council and the company. We will tease out that issue further in our forthcoming meetings with Amgen.

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