Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow has today (Thursday) expressed his profound regret at today’s announcement regarding the closure of operations of Merck and the loss of 280 jobs at the Rathdrum site. MSD today informed employees at its Rathdrum facility in Co. Wicklow of its proposed plan to cease operations at the site by the end of 2015.
“I have visited the Merck pharmaceuticals site several times down through the years and I am deeply saddened by today’s announcement. It has been there for upwards of 50 years, since 1961 in various different guises, including Schering Plough which most recently owned the Rathdrum site.
“It is a sad day for everyone who works there, and for the people of Rathdrum. The plant has been deeply embedded in the area for some time. I know many of the people and families who have been employed at this factory, with many working there for a considerable number of years. I know that today’s announcement will be devastating for these people and the impact on the surrounding area of Rathdrum will be considerable.
“The owners must now begin preparations to work with the IDA on finding a replacement employer and buyer for the site, with redundancies mainly happening in 2014 to allow this process some time The IDA and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, must look at all the options that are available to them, and crucially to find a purchaser for the Merck site, where 280 people are employed.
“With the company moving its manufacturing activities to other plants elsewhere in Ireland and abroad, and with no redundancies to take place until the end of 2014, I am hopeful this will allow for time for a buyer to come in and retain a many jobs as possible.”