Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this issue. I am deeply saddened by the announcement from B. Braun that it will be closing the manufacturing side of its Sligo facility. Our hearts and minds are with the employees and their families at this very difficult time for them. B. Braun has provided enormous employment opportunities for Sligo and this will be devastating for the community. The Government and IDA Ireland held close consultations with the site management, who strove to find alternative solutions. However, such solutions could not be found, leading to this closure. As the Deputy noted, the firm is going to keep the research and development team of 11 employees and has stated that further investment in the area will be potentially coming further down the line. We have invested €13.7 million in IT Sligo and the Collooney to Castlebaldwin road also represents a very significant investment. Advantio announced in January its plans to open its European cybersecurity headquarters in Sligo. We will do whatever we can to help the workers secure alternative employment and to get alternative employment into the sector.

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