Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Members speak, workers in the Pfizer plant in Cork are being briefed on the proposed consolidation of the operations in Cork in particular. Pfizer employs 2,500 people in this country and this news comes as no surprise, as the company had flagged that it would be consolidating in light of products going off-patent and because getting drugs to a manufacturing point now is becoming extremely difficult and competitive. My thoughts, and I am sure those of all Members, are with the workers and their families today, as they wait to hear Pfizer's plans. It has been indicated they could result in job losses towards the end of 2014. However, I appeal to the Minister, the IDA and Pfizer itself, which has stated that the plant located at Little Island can and should be sold for the purpose of operating as a similar manufacturing facility. IDA Ireland in particular has much knowledge on would-be investors in such a facility and I ask it to act immediately without delay to seek a potential purchaser of this site and to ensure that valued jobs in this facility can continue.