In response to a recent Dail question, Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton has learned that ownership of the site outside Carrigtwohill, where Amgen were to be located, has reverted to IDA Ireland. This 54 hectare site is currently being marketed by IDA Ireland for potential investors.
“I was advised by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation that IDA Ireland are in ownership of the former Amgen site outside of Carrigtwohill. This is a very large site in a very strategic location in East Cork along the N25 and I would hope would be very attractive to businesses.
“I understand that this site was first acquired by IDA in 2005 with Amgen entering into a contract for the site in 2006. Planning permission was then sought and site groundworks begun in late 2006. In October 2007, Amgen announced that its plans for this site were on hold but agreed to maintain the site. Amgen subsequently decided that the project would not proceed and ownership reverted to IDA in January 2010, as per the terms of the initial site agreement.
“I would urge IDA Ireland and the Minister for Enterprise to step up efforts to find a suitable industrial investor for the site. The East Cork area has been very seriously hit by the economic downturn and the latest figures from the CSO show more than 6,200 people are signing on in Cobh, Midleton and Youghal. These figures do not take into account the hundreds who have been forced to emigrate from the area in search of work.
“More must be done to create employment in this area. Securing a large multi-national business for the former Amgen site could create thousands of jobs for the area.
ENDS
PQ response below:
DAIL QUESTION NO. 107
To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the role his Department had in the recent reported acquisition by the State of a site (details supplied) in County Cork; the details of any such transaction; the future plans for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 13th October, 2010.
Ref No 36429/10
R E P L Y
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Mr. Batt O’Keeffe)
In 2005, IDA Ireland identified a site of approximately 54 hectares of land in Carrigtwohill East as suitable for development and acquired it. Amgen subsequently entered into contracts to purchase the entire holding from IDA and, in 2006, applied for Planning Permission for a Bulk Manufacturing facility and associated works. Site ground works commenced in late 2006. The terms of the agreement, between IDA and Amgen included a provision for the reversion of the beneficial interest in the site to IDA in the event of the project not proceeding and this occurred formally in January 2010.
In October 2007, Amgen announced a postponement of its Cork Project. At that time Amgen gave an undertaking to maintain the site in a good secure manner in order to protect the asset and maintain good local community relations.
Amgen subsequently concluded that it no longer wishes to proceed with the project. In keeping with the terms of the agreement, ownership of the Carrigtwohill site has now reverted to IDA Ireland. IDA Ireland will continue to market this Strategic Site and the Cork City Gateway.
