The Cathaiorleach of Clare County Council is challenging the new Jobs Minister to ensure that the closure of Roche in Clarecastle is prevented.
It was announced yesterday that attempts to transfer the facility to a global pharma services company have been unsuccessful.
The plant in Clarecastle will close by the end of 2019, with the loss of hundreds of jobs
There was major shock yesterday when Roche announced that a deal on the sale of the Clarecastle plant had fallen through.
Up to 360 employees and contractors now face an uncertain future after the pharmaceutical company said the planned phased closure of the facility will go ahead as planned by the end of 2019.
The Union representing some workers at the plant is due to meet with Management over the coming days to explore whether an alternative plan can be put in place.
SIPTU Organiser Paul DePuis says workers are still coming to terms with the news:
It's still not known what led to the breakdown of talks.
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey says a confidentiality agreement was signed between the two companies, as well as an agreement that Roche wouldn't engage with any other potential buyers over the past two months.
He says Roche put all of its eggs in one basket and he believes that created a problem:
Ennis Chamber has highlighted the significant contribution the company makes to both the local economy.
CEO Rita McInerney says that while its understandable that the confidentiality agreement prevented the company from throwing out a wider net, it's time now to move on from that.
The Cathaiorleach of Clare County Council has described the announcement as disappointing, having received indications from the IDA at a meeting in Chicago last month that the sale would go through.
Councillor James Breen says every effort must now be made to find an alternative buyer:
Both the IDA and the new Jobs Minister were unavailable for comment when contacted by Clare FM today.
But in a statement, Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor says that all "supports of the State will be made available to workers" and that she's "asked the IDA to explore all options with a view to securing a buyer for this plant".
