Amgen: €800m plant is not under threat

US DRUGS giant Amgen denied speculation yesterday that the future of its €800 million manufacturing plant in Cork is in doubt.

The company restated its commitment to build the massive biotechnology project in East Cork and deliver the promised 1,100 jobs.

The move came following confirmation on Monday of a two-year delay in the opening of its Carrigtwohill plant. The company said the decision to reschedule the opening was taken after a global review of its operations.

The first phase of the plant — the bulk manufacturing capacity-building — was due to open by 2010 but will not open until 2012 at the earliest. Recruitment has also been stalled.

Speculation that the entire project is in jeopardy was fuelled yesterday by rumours that large elements of the building project have also been cancelled.

But a company spokes- woman said the rescheduling of the opening has had a knock-on effect on the delivery of key infrastructural elements on the 133-acre site.

“The commitment is there. The scope of the project is still there. But the delivery of certain elements has been changed,” she said, not elaborating on the specifics of the delay.

All contractors and suppliers have been informed of the new timescale, she said.

Meanwhile, Green Party TD Dan Boyle plans to raise concerns about the two-year delay in the Dáil: “I will be asking the Enterprise Minister for detailed explanations which he received from the firm regarding the reasons for the delay.”