Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)

This morning, Pfizer announced that it was to shed 177 jobs in two plants in Cork. Pfizer employs 4,000 people in this country. This decision will affect the lives of those who will lose their jobs and the lives of their families and it will cause devastation and shock. I extend my sympathies and that of all Senators to those people. That announcement shines a light on the pharmaceutical industry and the way it is changing worldwide. The reason for these job losses is that Pfizer's blockbuster drug Lipitor has come off patent. Other drugs will also come off patent. We see mergers and acquisitions take place on an international basis. It is important that this House examines the pharmaceutical industry and employment it provides here. I ask the leader to invite the Minister to come to the House to explain the discussions he is having with the pharmaceutical companies and what the IDA has planned in this area. While much of this is out of our control we must have a strategic plan for this area which is an important employer across the pharmaceutical life sciences. I ask the Leader to arrange a discussion on the future of the pharmaceutical industry, which is an important industry that is changing internationally, and the implications that has for this country.