EU decision may halt biotech plant plans

ENTERPRISE Minister Micheál Martin yesterday refused to speculate on whether an impending EU decision would scupper a crucial €434 million biotechnology plant under construction in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

The plant, which is being built by the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Centocor, was announced by the Government in July 2004 while Minister Martin himself officiated at the beginning of construction in September.

However, since Government aid for the project exceeds a set-down limit, the Government is awaiting a decision from the European Commission’s competition directorate on whether the funding is in breach of EU competition law.

The precise amount of State aid involved is confidential but is understood to run into tens of millions.

Senior management at Centocor have already stopped short of guaranteeing that work on the plant, which would provide 330 jobs, would continue if the EU decides to refuse permission for the grant.