Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

People have asked about the medium and long term. I was trying to respond to the issues raised by Deputy Stanton and others and I am conscious that a significant investment has been made in infrastructure. The east County Cork region has been identified as an area of significant growth and the site has significant utilities attached to it, so it clearly has the potential to house a similar type of enterprise.

Ireland continues to win substantial pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical investments. There are currently 133 IDA supported enterprises in Cork city and county. Since 2002, five IDA assisted life sciences companies have invested in Carrigtwohill and have increased their employment there from 943 to 1726. This net increase of 783 jobs in Carrigtwohill is very significant and underlines the potential of the area for further job creation.

Recent announcements in Cork include IBM, GSK, Allen Vanguard, VMware, Eli Lilly and PepsiCo, Blizzard Entertainment, Apex Funds and SolarWinds. Direct employment in IDA supported companies in Cork city and county has grown from 12,449 in 1997 to 19,977 in 2006. That is the positive backdrop to the situation in terms of inward investment. We have more work to do and I am aware people want increased investment. Clearly, people are disappointed as a result of the Amgen decision. I appreciate the articulation of that concern by the Deputies representing the people of the area. We will do everything we can to win further investment.

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