Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for accepting the commencement matter and I thank the Minister for coming to the House to take it. I have raised it previously and had a discussion with the Minister of State, Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy. I will not repeat the speech I made a number of months ago. I have tabled the matter to receive an update from the Minister, and I know it was raised yesterday on the Order of Business by Senators Burke and Feighan.

I would like feedback on the Minister's trip to London. I hope it was a success. What are the concerns the EU may raise? An issue I would like the Minister to address is that at a meeting I had with a Commissioner prior to Christmas in Brussels, he stated no official application had been received from the Irish Government. Will the Minister give us an update on whether an application has been submitted and what is in it? What is the make up and big pitch the Government is making to bring the European Medicines Agency, EMA, to Ireland?

A number of difficulties were identified by independent reports the previous time I spoke with regard to accommodation and education facilities. These have moved on and we have seen the Government's Rebuilding Ireland strategy. I am confident, as I hope is the Minister, that this could address any concerns about accommodation needs for the potential 900 employees who could move to Ireland. Concern about the lack of international education was also cited. Three schools in Dublin provide the international baccalaureate at various levels. A planning application was made in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown to build a large international school in Leopardstown for up to 800 pupils. This would cover the full range of four to 18 year olds in international education. These changes are happening rapidly in Dublin and Ireland and they will have a huge impact on any possible application. I appreciate the Minister coming to the House and I would appreciate any update he can give.