Senator Frank Feighan is calling on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to consider Carrick-on-Shannon as part location for the European Medicines Agency.
“The EMA is an EU regulatory body responsible for the protection of public and animal health through the scientific evaluation and supervision of medicines. Because of the Brexit vote in the UK, the agency will now have to move from Canary Wharf in London and this could provide a real opportunity for the North-West region here.
“This agency has many areas of expertise. For example, it has seven committees that carry out its scientific assessments. Some of this activity could be located in Carrick-on-Shannon because there is plenty of office space in the town and in other local towns in the region.
“Carrick-on-Shannon is well placed geographically too. It is widely acknowledged now that you can make it to the Leitrim county town in an hour and half from Dublin Airport whereas you will find it very difficult to get from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf in that time.
“The EMA employs about 900 people and locating part of this agency to this side of the country would be a huge boost for the regional economy along with its additional spin-offs.
“I have already had recent discussions with industry professionals about the possibility of locating some EMA activity to this region. This meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon was also attended by Sligo/Leitrim TD Tony McLoughlin and local councillor, Finola Armstrong-McGuire.
“I know that the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, is preparing a bid to bring the EMA to Dublin but I will be raising with him the importance of considering this North West region as a possible part location for the EMA.
“This region has a rich pool of highly skilled graduates who no doubt would love the opportunity of working on their own doorstep with this prestigious agency. I will certainly be working closely with the Minister to ensure that this opportunity is explored.”
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