The Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, TD, yesterday claimed that Dublin is the perfect new home for the European Medicines Agency which will have to relocate from London to another EU Member State following the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
The Minister was speaking following a trip to Brussels, during which she held a number of meetings with key stakeholders and MEPs, as well as with the EU’s Deputy Chief Negotiator on Brexit Sabine Weyand.
According to the Minister, Dublin offers the best outcome for the Agency for a number of reasons. Kennedy argued that Dublin is an English-speaking location and English is the working language of the EMA and the pharmaceutical industry.
Furthermore, Kennedy stressed that Dublin would prove very attractive to EMA staff and their families and maximise retention of existing staff.
Speaking yesterday, the Minister said, "A relocation of the EMA to Dublin would be a significant boost for the city, as the Agency directly employs 900 staff and needs over 350 hotel beds per night to service visitors."
She added, "What we need, for the good of all Europeans, is a quick decision to be taken on the relocation of this key agency, but it must be the right decision. The EMA needs a home which will ensure the future sustainability of the agency. It is my firm belief that Dublin is that home."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
