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Thu 27 Aug
Southern Star reports on Passage West ...
Southern Star reports on Passage West ...
Reporter Leo McMahon has kindly sent copies of reports on Passage West carried by the Southern Star over the past couple of weeks.
THE SOUTHERN STAR, is a local weekly newspaper covering Cork and County and with a large readership among 'exiles' abroad, many from the Lower Harbour area. Founded in 1889 in Skibbereen, it provides regular coverage of meetings of Passage West Town Council and other local happenings. On sale
locally, it also has a website www.southernstar.ie . News items are always most welcome and your contacts are:
PHOTOS - Howard Crowdy 087-6790800 hcrowdy@indigo.ie
AREA REPORTER - Leo McMahon 021-4293514 leomcmahon1@gmail.com
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Planning permission refused for dockyard development
BY LEO McMAHON
PLANNING permission was refused recently by An Bord Pleanala for the proposed major re-development of the former Royal Victoria Dockyard in Passage West to include 405 residential units, 19 retails units, a 100 bedroom hotel, a 293 berth marina, crèche and land reclamation.
The application by Maulbawn Ltd (parent company Howard Holdings) was granted by Cork County Council on October 15, 2008 and the appellants were Jim Doyle and Marian Mullins, Ferrypoint and Harry and Elizabeth Wallace, Lucia Place, Passage West.
It was proposed to demolish the existing dockyard structures (part of which is currently occupied by Haulbowline Industries) which are bounded by Dock Street, Strand Street, Lucia Place and Dock Terrace and reclaim 1,324 hectares of foreshore. In addition to the above mentioned, the application for the mixed use town centre development included an anchor convenience store, a leisure centre, office space, a civic/community use facility, a 293 berth marina, 1,196 underground car park spaces, an amenity boardwalk and play areas. The residential units would be in 14 blocks.
An Bord Pleanala set out four reasons for refusal why the proposed development would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area, extracts of which are as follows
1) “Having regard to the height, scale and design, it is considered that the proposed development is excessive in terms of its built form and constitutes over development of the site which would be detrimental to the protection of the character of Passage West and would seriously injure the residential amenities association with existing houses.
2) “The site is located in the relatively narrow Lee Channel linking the upper and lower harbour. The Board is not satisfied that the reclamation of land at this location together with the construction of the proposed marina projecting out into the channel and associated boast movements, would not prejudice the strategic importance of the river channel for shipping.
3) “Passage West is identified in the Cork Retail Strategy Study 2008 as a fourth tier town….a) Having regard to the scale and nature of the proposed retail development, the board is not satisfied, in the absence of a quantitative assessment, that there is sufficient expenditure within Passage West for the level of retail development proposed. It would therefore give rise to an imbalance in the region and would result in an over provision of retail floor space in an area dependent on car transport….b) having regard to the quantum of office space proposed, it is considered that the site would be an unsustainable location for office development where there is no adequate locational justification for such office space.
4) “Having regard to the scale and nature of the development proposed, the development potential of other zoned lands within the town, the constraints posed by the main junction (i.e. Centre Block) in the town and the absence of significant proposals for road improvement, the development is premature pending the adoption of an agreed traffic management scheme for the town centre”.
Passage West TC to seek meeting with developers of dockyard site
BY LEO McMAHON
PASSAGE WEST Town Council is to seek a meeting with Howard Holdings, whose application in the name of Maulbawn Ltd for a major €250 million redevelopment of the dockyard was refused last month by An Bord Pleanala.
On the agenda at the July meeting was a motion from Mr. Michael Frick Murphy proposing that the council write to Minister for the Environment and Local Government John Gormley TD asking him to use his powers to ensure the granting of planning permission to Howard Holdings for the development on the basis it was vital to the regeneration of the town.
The newly elected councillor has also organized a petition for presentation to the Minister highlighting the devastating effect on the locality where, he stated, the mood was akin to mourning following the decision instead of it giving a new lease of life. Mr. M. F. Murphy pointed out that the reasons referred to by An Bord Pleanala were discussed between the developer and the county council during the initial phases of the planning application which would therefore suggest the board disregarded these in its ruling.
When it was pointed out by Mayor John Daly and others that the refusal by An Bord Pleanala terminated the planning application, it was unanimously agreed that the council should instead write to the Minister expressing local dissatisfaction and anger over the ruling which was originally granted by Cork County Council but appealed.
Mr. Michael P. Murphy said he supported the motion in principle but acknowledged, along with other councillors, that the Minister didn’t have the power to reverse a decision of An Bord Pleanala which is an independent body.
Mr. Daly said that on eventually making contact with a representative of Howard Holdings in order to get its views and ideas and to ascertain future plans, he was told that the applicants couldn’t believe the decision by An Bord Pleanala. It had been anticipated that permission would be granted but with several conditions but refusal left them shocked and distraught.
There were, he was told, three options: 1) to re-apply with a different application which could take up to 18 months to rule on, cost a fortune and possibly again be refused; 2) to leave the site as it is until there is an upturn in the economy or; 3) sell off the dockyard site, which the mayor understood was purchased by the developer from Haulbowline Industries.
Mr. Daly said he had been asked by a number of local people about holding a public information meeting in order to get a feedback and inviting officials of Howard Holdings. From his phone discussion, he got the impression the developers would have no problem about such a meeting taking place but it was unlikely its representatives would attend. He himself was satisfied that 95% of people in the town wanted something built at the site.
Mr. M. P. Murphy said that a lot of people would vent their anger if a public meeting was held. He wondered if any faceless people from the planning appeals board visited the site. With regard to Mr. M.F. Murphy’s motion, he believed a letter should be sent to the Minister.
Mr. Jerry Cronin said he too had sympathy with the sentiments of the motion. He wanted the granting of permission by the county council to be upheld, if perhaps “tweeked a little”.
Mr. Seamus McGrath MCC agreed there was major disappointment, anger and frustration over the refusal as most people expected permission with new conditions for a town badly in need of regeneration. The reasons given in the 70 page report from An Bord Pleanala, apart from traffic, didn’t take into account the submissions made and he pointed out that Passage West TC sent a letter of support for the application.
It was now important to try and work from where they were and instead of a public meeting he suggested the council first meet with Howard Holdings since the ball was in the developer’s court who had already spent a lot of money in the planning process, and would need to make a fresh application . Such a meeting would also present the opportunity demonstrate the council’s unstinting support for the development.
Mr. Dominic Ryan wondered, should the Port of Cork identify the Marino Point site directly across the Lee Channel as a future container terminal, if this would impact on any new proposal for a hotel and residential developments at the dockyard. Mr. M.P. Murphy said something had to go into the Marino Point site and he would prefer the Port of Cork to a company such as IFI. When Messrs. David O’Byrne and Mr. Daly said noise from such activity would be a major concern with houses needing triple glazed windows, Mr. M.P. Murphy disagreed, saying this point was only used by objectors.
Ms. Marcia D’Alton said the town had been left destitute after years of planning and hope. While what the motion sought was unrealistic, she was in favour of writing to the Minister. Mr. M.F. Murphy said he was happy with that and it was agreed to seek a meeting with Howard Holdings at the earliest opportunity.
From Passage to North Korea
BY LEO McMAHON
“Send it to North Korea !” declared then Mayor of Passage West Mr. Michael P. Murphy at the June meeting of the town council in response to a letter of invitation from Mayor of Hiroshima Dr. Tadatoshi Akiba to join the Mayors for Peace international network of which the Japanese public representative is president.
The letter also sought support for its 2020 Vision Campaign for complete nuclear disarmament by the year 2020. Mayors for Peace has 2,817 members from 134 countries, including several from Ireland. Ms. Marcia D’Alton voiced support for the letter and recommended the mayor sign the declaration of support as already done by councils in Wexford, Drogheda and Newbridge.
On a proposal by Mr. Murphy, Passage West TC unanimously agreed to send a motion to all other town councils in Ireland and to the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland requesting all such bodies to instruct their delegates to the Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Mutual Insurance Association to only vote for sitting councillors seeking to become directors.
Mr. Murphy said it was crazy that the IPB had a number of directors who were retired councillors and argued that such positions should only be taken up by sitting councillors. The same such retired members were to be found on various other committees.
Members supported a motion from Mullingar TC urging the Health Service Executive to provide more support for dementia sufferers and their carers.
UCC course at Passage West
BY LEO McMAHON
The establishment of a two years Diploma in Community Development course at St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West by the Adult and Continuing Education Department of University College Cork was warmly welcomed at the monthly meeting of Passage West Town Council.
Starting this autumn, the course will comprise:
- Year one (NFQ Level 6 certificate) – modules in a social analysis of a community, group work skills, the history and theory of community development and research skills in community development work.
- Year two (NFQ Level 7 diploma) – the formation of community, principles and practice of community work, models of community work and practice placement.
An Taisce Clean Coast programme
BY LEO McMAHON
The Clean Coast Programme is a coastal management scheme run in Ireland by An Taisce , the aim of which is to provide support and facilitate Coastcare Groups who ‘adopt’ their favourite stretch of coastline. The main reason a programme of this nature is so important is because our coastline unfortunately, is disfigured with a lot litter and improper development which reduces the amenity of the beaches and threatens native wildlife.
Clean Coast has been running successfully in Ireland since 2001 and in South East Cork since 2008, with the help of funding from SECAD (South East Cork Area Development).
The programme can facilitate groups in caring for their local coastal environment by promoting and supporting conservation activities, including regular beach clean ups, environmental awareness-raising and practical tasks which serve to improve the general amenity. There are also small grants available to assist in covering a Coastcare Groups costs, these grants can assist in paying for group clean up equipment, administrative cost, room hire or perhaps for an expert guest speaker to come and give talks on the wildlife or local and natural history of your chosen beach.
In South East Cork there are groups from Youghal to Nohoval Cove, also taking in the Cork Harbour area. So far, a total of 14 groups have signed up and it’s envisaged that over the next year this number will double.
In the harbour area alone there are seven Coastcare groups located on Great Island, Cobh; Agahada, Ringaskiddy, Crosshaven and Blackrock and it is not only clean ups that they have been getting involved in. Some of the schools located near Cuskinny Wildlife reserve on the Great Island and Rostellan SPA( a special protection area) have signed up with Bird Watch Ireland’s Bird Atlas and will be keeping an eye out and recording sightings in particular of Brent Geese during the winter months, while other groups have been organising environmental information days down at their local beaches with talks on local geology and marine biology.
Some of the other projects taking place in conjunction with the Clean Coast programme are An Taisce’s Green Schools Programme and An Taisce’s National Spring Campaign, the Green Schools programme encourages coastal schools to get involved and become a Coastcare group as part of the Green Schools Water theme and this year we also ran An Taisce’s National Spring Campaign in conjunction with the Clean Coast programme.
A launch seminar was held in in April at Fota House near Cobh to kick start the National Spring Clean Campaign.
Some of the issues a Coastcare group will be asked to look at is water quality, amenities, location of outflow pipes, accessibility, provision of lifesaving equipment, the monitoring and the reporting of illegal dumping, the presence/ or lack of signage, evidence of pollution, illegal dumping and other potential dangers.
With these issues addressed a group can then start to develop their beach management plan which will aid them in the maintenance of their beach or harbour area.
There also the opportunity of putting forward these beaches for a Green Coast Award which is similar to the Blue Flag Award but is aimed at smaller, rural beaches which do not have the same amenities as some of the larger urban beaches do. This award acknowledges beaches which meet Excellent bathing water quality standards, but which are also prized for their natural, unspoilt environment.
* If you would like to know more about or start a Coastcare Group, contact An Taisce Clean Coast Officer Olivia Crossan: oliviacoastcare@gmail.com. Tel 087-2045259.
Complaints about dockyard overstated says town councillor but Section Notice to issue
BY LEO McMAHON
Although it was confirmed at the July meeting of Passage West Town Council that a ‘section notice’ was being prepared by the environment section of Cork County Council outlining procedures to be followed for future operations at the dockyard, Mr. Dominic Ryan, in defence of the company, said it must be “the most maligned and pilloried in county Cork”.
As a person who worked there for 20 years, he was aware there were problems and sympathised with people living nearby but felt some complaints were overstated and believed there couldn’t be a huge number of objectors.
The dockyard company, Mr. Ryan continued, was an important employer and it would have been prepared to move from the site had the proposed Howard Holdings development for a major hotel, residential units, marina and other facilities been granted but this didn’t happen. There were two sides to every story and his opinion, the company was being unfairly treated at this stage.
Ms. Marcia D’Alton however, said the section notice issued by the county council was simply about bringing an existing agreement in line with recognised practice.
Town clerk Mr. Niall O’Keeffe told councillors he had received an e mail from Mr. Ted O’Leary, senior executive officer, environmental section in County Hall stating that the section notice being prepared would refer to operating hours, loading and unloading, noise, dust suppression, wind direction, incident logging and complaints handling.
Mr. Ryan said it wasn’t a 365 days a year problem with dust and noise and he believed the company was at this stage being hung out to dry with many people now tired of all the objections.
In support, Mr. Michael P. Murphy queried the justification in the company having to go to the expense of washing down houses half way up Church Hill as opposed to those affected close to the dockyard and agreed with Mr. Ryan that the company was much maligned.
Mr. D’Alton said the section notice offered the opportunity for the dockyard company to work in consultation with the county council’s environment section. Once it could show it was in compliance there would be no comeback. She pointed out that there was an issue of a local location for wind recording to resolve.
Mr. Jerry Cronin said there was obviously a problem going back a quarter of a century and photographs he had seen of dust on property and vehicles were horrific. Whethere he was a long time resident or even a tenant living near it for only six months, he wouldn’t put up with it. They couldn’t make fish of one and flesh of the other and the issue had to be addressed as indicated by the county council.
Mr. Daly said the operator had only been in court once in the past five years (2005) and contended it was not a major issue except for a handful of objectors.
Mr. Seamus McGrath MCC said it was in the best interests of the company to have improved monitoring and logging so that if spurious claims were made, it would have the evidence to rebutt these. Ms. D’Alton and Mayor John Daly agreed saying it had now been clearly set out by Mr. O’Leary what the council was looking for.
Problems regarding dust, noise and traffic concerning the dockyard were highlighted at a special meeting of the town council attended by concerned residents in March at which it was indicated by Mr. O’Leary that a section notice would be drawn up aimed at directing how future operations at the dockyard should be conducted with regard to environmental protection.
Demolition order at Passage
BY LEO McMAHON
There was good news for Passage West Town Council at its July meeting when the manager Ms. Angela Murphy stated a notice had been issued by Cork County Council for demolition of the building at Strand Street outside which there has been a hoarding for the past seven years.
The issue has been highlighted on numerous occasions and following the June meeting, the manager said she contacted the structural engineer in the county council who spoke to the director of services, Ms. Patricia Power the following day.
The result of all this was that a dangerous structures notice was subsequently issued requesting the owner, within 12 weeks after June 19 last, to demolish the three storey building located in the middle of the main thoroughfare of Passage West, ensuring that the adjoining buildings are supported. The owner was also directed to remove the hoarding, clear the rubble, level and secure the site.
She understood that a planning application in respect of the same site was being lodged and this was confirmed by Mayor John Daly who said he saw the planning notice being put up. The manager said the latter had no bearing on the order.
The announcement was welcomed by councillors. Ms. Marcia D’Alton said that according to the property condition report on the building dating back to 2002 which was received by the town council under the Freedom of Information Act at its June meeting, the structure could be a danger to anyone passing by.
The notice which the mayor referred to is a planning application for demolition of the existing building and construction of a retail unit on the ground floor with three apartments over 2, Strand Street.
Town clerk Mr. Niall O’Keeffe said Haswell Properties was written to by the county council on June 29 with five technical questions regarding its planning application in respect of the former bus yard at Glenbrook. The applicant had four weeks in which to make the submission in response to the request for further information.
Mr. O’Keeffe said the county council had also written to the applicant for the proposed Monkstown marina who had until September 14 to furnish further information.
Minutes were circulated of a special meeting held on May 27 to consider the decision by the county council to grant planning permission for a four storey development including 18 apartments, a medical unit and retail units at Pembroke Wood. The applicant attended part of the meeting.
It was decided, following a debate amongst councillors, to make a submission to An Bord Pleanala that the development was unsustainable, was excessive in height and queried why if in commercial zoning, there were 18 apartments. Ms. D’Alton undertook to prepare and circulate the submission.
At the subsequent monthly meeting, the town clerk said that due to a technicality the submission was not accepted and when sent again to An Bord Pleanala it was deemed too late so the town council sent an observation instead.
Head of Fr. O'Flynn dislodged from plinth in park at Passage
BY LEO McMAHON
(photo: Leo McMahon)
Mr. Dominic Ryan, at the July meeting of Passage West Town Council enquired about the bust of Fr. O’Flynn which in early June became detached from the plinth in the park named him.
In reply, Mayor John Daly confirmed that he had it in his possession but Mr. Mark Clifford of Domestic Security, Toureen Terrace, Passage West, who is a grand nephew of the priest, had spoken to Cork County Council officials with a view to restoring the head and by using special bolts and membrane filled with cement, securing it more firmly to the plinth. Councillors welcomed this.
The bust of the pastor was dislodged accidentally in early June due to the fact it barely attached to the plinth. Garda Tim McSweeney told The Southern Star it was discovered by Bernice Desmond of The Criterion Bar who reported the matter to him after which councillor Daly kindly undertook to place it in his care until re-attached.
Officially listed in 2000 as one of the most influential people of the millennium, Fr. Christy O’Flynn (1881-1961) was renowned for his radical views on education and his ground-breaking work and techniques as a speech therapist which helped countless people with speech impediments and shyness. He is synonymous with establishing the Cork Shakespearean Company (Loft Theatre) in Cork City’s northside which he believed enobled the mind at a time a rampant poverty and deprivation. In 1911, he produced the North Monastery Pageant, which at the time was the largest theatrical event held in Ireland featuring over 500 youngsters The pastor, who in later life, served as parish priest in Passage West, was also a leading member of the Gaelic League.
Ms. Marcia D’Alton asked that enquiries be made as to what came of the proposal referred to many years ago by former councillor Jo. Kelleher for a plaque to be erected next to a tree in Fr. O’Flynn Park to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland 30 years ago.
Mr. Ryan referred to what he described more and more sinister acts of vandalism taking place in the locality. Mayor John Daly concurred and condemned recent damage carried out at Passage Soccer Club. It was agreed to raise these and other issues when the first meeting of the new Passage West Joint Policing Committee, comprising town councillors, officials, local Oireachtas members, Gardai and representatives of the community/voluntary sector is held in the autumn.
Wanted - Lawnmower for Passage
BY LEO McMAHON
APPLICATIONS are invited from civic minded groups seeking a grant for a lawnmower to cut grass in Passage West and Monkstown.
This was agreed at the July meeting of the town council after Mr. Michael P. Murphy repeated his call for a grant to be provided to the Tidy Towns group in Passage West which currently comprises himself and former town commissioner Dan O’Connell who pick up litter in the locality nearly every weekend.
On being told by Mr. Dominic Ryan that it cost householders €275 for an initial cutting of the grass by a contractor at Glenbrook followed by subsequent charges of €150, Mr. M. P. Murphy argued it would be better value for the town council to give a grant of €2,500 to the Tidy Towns committee to purchase a good quality lawnmower which would probably last at least five years and cut the grass in all areas of the locality on a regular basis at no charge to the local authority. To date in 2009, there was only one cutting in Passage West with Fr. O’Flynn Park and other open spaces an overgrown disgrace, especially on local election polling day.
Mr. Jerry Cronin acknowledged the efforts of the Tidy Towns group and others but stressed there was a right way and a wrong way in going about this. There was need for any group seeking a grant to put in writing who would be in charge of the machine, how, when and where it would be used and what insurance would be in place. He also reminded councillors that grass cutting was always a traditional responsibility of Cork County Council.
Mr. Clive Murphy wondered if the town council could set up a FAS scheme to maintain open spaces, highlight the issue on the local website or get permission from Ardmore Residents’ Association to use its machine. Another suggestion was for the town council to provide charity boxes in shops towards the upkeep of the town. Mr. M.P. Murphy said he would not be in favour of the latter two suggestions.
The manager Ms. Angela Murphy said there would be need to prioritise areas requiring upkeep , stressed that they were talking about ratepayers’ money and added that the town council had limited funds. Mr. M.P. Murphy however said there would be blue murder if the grass in some areas were cut and others were not.
Ms. Marcia D’Alton felt the town council was working in the dark. She had spoken to the supervisor in the Carrigaline area office of the county council who acknowledged that difficulties were encountered this year because the grass got too long for the machines operated by one contractor and there would have to be more machines in 2010. There were county council requirements to be met by any voluntary group which could tender but he pointed out that there were responsibilities, having regard to the fact that some groups died out after a few years and in some instances the machine absconded. Ms. D’Alton recommended talking to Tidy Towns groups in Douglas and Carrigaline and find out how often the county council would cut the grass in their locality.
“Time is not on our side”, complained Mr. M.P. Murphy who said while they talked and talked, the grass was growing. His colleague on the Tidy Towns, Dan O’Conell was prepared and well qualified to maintain a lawnmower if provided. He also said that Tidy Towns groups in Carrigaline, Mallow, Rochestown, Douglas and other places had no difficulty obtaining insurance.
In Glenbrook, said Mr. Ryan, householders subscribed €5 per month for grass cutting by a contractor and it worked well. People had to be prepared to help themselves.
Mr. Seamus McGrath MCC said it was a most urgent issue but the difficulty was the budget uncertainty of the county council at present.
After further debate, it was agreed that the Tidy Towns group should make a submission in writing to the Carrigaline area office of the county council for a grant towards a lawnmower and Mr. M.P. Murphy said this would be done.
Ms. D’Alton said she would like to hear from anyone interested in joining a group which would look after flower beds in the locality one morning a week. In particular, she added, landscaped areas at Rockenham were not being looked after. Mr. M.P. Murphy called on the county council to better maintain the roundabout there and also the old graveyard while Mr. C. Murphy supported the call for more litter bins in Monkstown.
Passage West area crying out for facilities says councillor
BY LEO McMAHON
“The Passage West-Monkstown area is crying out for facilities”, said Mr. Seamus McGrath MCC at the monthly meeting of the town council when highlighting the importance of putting in place proposals for the spending of special planning contributions generated by new residential developments in the locality in recent years.
In particular, said Mr. McGrath, around €300,000 had been generated to date from the major Harbour Heights development at Ardmore, Passage West, which when completed, would be levied for a total of €500,000 for recreational and amenity purposes.
He proposed that a meeting be arranged with senior engineer in charge of recreation and amenity for the county council in South Cork, Mr. Liam Singleton because it was important not to let the matter lie.
In support, Mr. David O’Byrne suggested a sub-committee be formed to draw up proposals and report back to the full council.
Efforts are being made locally for provision of a multi-use games area (MUGA) for teenagers in Passage West, a skateboard park and upgrading of Monkstown Amenity Park. Alec Day Park, Glenbrook was not deemed suitable but other possible sites include the former Marmullane Tennis Club, Ardmore; the CYMS Hall in Chapel Square and Star of the Sea School, Cork Road when pupils move to the proposed new school at Maulbaun. The town council also wishes to see a Family Resource Centre as an objective of a proposed Needs Analysis of the area.
The council nominated Mr. O’Byrne for a seat on behalf of all 12 town councils on the County Development Board. His name will go forward with the other 11 from which two town councillors will be chosen to sit on the board. The previous nominee, Ms. Jo. Kelleher was successful in getting selected on to the board.
Mr. Clive Murphy was nominated to replace Mr. Dominick Donnelly and represent Passage West TC at the remaining two meetings of South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) before that body forms a new board in the autumn.
Carrigaline chairman
BY LEO McMAHON
Mr. Seamus McGrath (Fianna Fail) was unanimously elected cathaoirleach and Ms. Deirdre Forde (Fine Gael) leas cathaoirleach at the first meeting of the newly elected Carrigaline Area Committee of Cork County Council.
Tributes were paid to outgoing cathaoirleach Mr. John A. Collins (FG) and to the officials.
Up to the local election in June, there were seven members of the committee plus the Mayor of Passage West but this was reduced by one when Ballincollig moved into the Macroom electoral area.
The members are Seamus McGrath (FF), Deirdre Forde (FG), Tim Lombard (FG), John A. Collins (FG), Paula Desmond (Labour), David Boyle (Non Party) and also the Mayor of Passage West John Daly (FG). Mr. McGrath is also a member of Passage West TC. The committee usually meets on the third Monday afternoon of each month in County Hall and mainly deals with matters concerning roads, footpaths and lighting.
€12 million R&D investment at Pfizer in Ringaskiddy announced by Tanaiste
BY LEO McMAHON
TANAISTE and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan TD on Monday announced that Pfizer Inc., the world's largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company is to invest over €11 million in the establishment of a research and development (R&D) Kilo Technology Laboratory at its Ringaskiddy site, with the support of Government through IDA Ireland.
The new laboratory will be a dedicated R&D facility within the Process Development Centre (PDC) at the site and will research, develop and create new manufacturing technology for more efficient production processes for Pfizer’s facilities around the world. A new state-of-the-art development facility incorporating the PDC early stage laboratory and the new Kilo laboratory is currently under construction.
Pfizer proposes to utilise the new manufacturing technology of continuous processing involving chemistry in a pipe and continuous extraction. Continuous processing technology has been developed for other industries but Pfizer is undertaking state-of-the-art process development for the pharmaceutical industry which has the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and greatly reduce the associated costs of production.
Making the announcement the Tánaiste said “This is a highly strategic project for the pharmaceutical industry and will significantly enhance Ireland’s image as a location for innovative R&D. In addition, as it involves the co-location of substantial R&D and manufacturing it will be a leading example to other global companies of what can be achieved in Ireland. This investment is excellent news for the Cork site as the technology will allow Pfizer to perform specific chemistries that would not otherwise be achievable in standard manufacturing and in so doing will make Ireland a centre-of-excellence and a key Pfizer location for further development of this technology. It will also mean a significant advance in technical innovation for both the Irish operation and for the parent company and is a major extension of the Cork site’s corporate mandate.”
This year Pfizer is celebrating forty years in Ireland. Its Ringaskiddy site, employing over 550 people, consists of four API (bulk pharmaceutical) plants producing a range of material for many of Pfizer’s major products. All of the Lipitor active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the world and 70% of all Lipitor tablets are produced in Cork by Pfizer, which has eight different operations in Ireland employing a total of 2,000 people.
Dr Paul Duffy, VP Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland/Singapore said “Pfizer in Ireland has a proven track record in relation to process improvement and optimisation. The decision to invest in the Cork PDC was based on demonstrated technical competence with similar projects and the successful completion of a number of R&D programmes. Last year globally Pfizer spent $7.9billion in research and development. This decision demonstrates a clear commitment by Pfizer to growing the R&D capability at the Centre as an integral part of our corporate R&D strategy which is focusing on the development of new, innovative products and developing less costly and more efficient second generation processes of existing products.”
Founded in 1849, Pfizer is the world's premier biopharmaceutical company taking new approaches to better health. We discover, develop, manufacture and deliver quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to treat and help prevent disease for both people and animals. We also partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access to our medicines and to provide better quality health care and health system support. At Pfizer, more than 80,000 colleagues in more than 90 countries work every day to help people stay happier and healthier longer and to reduce the human and economic burden of disease worldwide.
Pfizer is one of Ireland's largest pharmaceutical multinationals and was among the first to set up inIreland, opening its main Ringaskiddy plant in Cork in 1969. Pfizer has a number of different business operations in Ireland: five manufacturing sites; a sales & marketing presence in human prescription medicines and animal health medicines; a treasury operation and a Global Shared Services business. Pfizer is heavily committed to Ireland, employing over 2,000 people and accounting for a capital investment of well in excess of €1billion.
The Cork PDC is a global research centre for Pfizer Inc. and is designated as the primary centre for second generation process development for existing products, and not solely those manufactured in Ireland, with the aim to reduce costs and increase margins. Pfizer decided to establish the PDC in Cork as a consequence of the skills and capability, with respect to process optimisation and improvement, which existed in the Irish manufacturing sites. The PDC has in-house state-of-the-art laboratory and analytical facilities.