Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her answer. I am glad to hear that the acquisition has been completed. I was concerned this would not happen for a long time as the dates were being pushed out further and further. This will be a key driver and major confidence boost for the local economy. In the past, we have seen the development of similar advanced technology buildings and we ended up with the building in Carlow town of a top-class Merck Sharp & Dohme facility, which is now extending into a second building. When complete, it will employ more than 800 people directly and another 300 or 400 indirectly in the next two years. We need something similar to be developed once this facility is built. Obviously, planning permission is required first but I encourage the Minister to apply pressure to make sure this does not drag on any longer. She indicated deadlines and dates in her response. These must be very firm. We have seen them drag on through no fault of the Minister. At this stage, this is a kind of pet project. Every other Question Time I put this question on the Minister's agenda, as she knows. It is very important to the local area and I encourage her to ensure that it does not drag on any further and that the deadlines she has indicated will be those that will actually deliver the project on time. I look forward to welcoming the Minister-----

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