Deputy Harris joins with Wicklow County Councillors in special meeting with IDA, Enterprise Ireland and MSD

Deputy Harris joins with Wicklow County Councillors in special meeting with IDA, Enterprise Ireland and MSD

MSD inform meeting they are actively pursuing a buyer for the Rathdrum plant and remain committed to finding one

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris joined with Members of Wicklow County Council in meeting with representatives of MSD who currently operate the plant in Rathdrum and representatives of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to discuss what efforts are being undertaken to secure the future of the plant and also address broader employment issues in County Wicklow.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Harris said, “I was pleased to attend this meeting and join with local representatives in an effort to help create employment strategies for County Wicklow. In the years of economic boom, County Wicklow was neglected by the Government of the day and its State agencies in trying to attract jobs to Wicklow. We were seen simply as a dormitory county or a commuter county. This
cannot continue.”

“County Wicklow has lots to offer for potential investors and even more now with the upgrade of the N11 about to commence. I am determined to send out the message loudly and clearly on behalf of County Wicklow,” stated Deputy Harris.

“The issue of the future of the Rathdrum plant in light of MSD’s intention to wind down its operation there in the coming years is a cause of significant worry and concern for our county. I have been in regular contact with the Minister for Jobs and the Head of the IDA on this issue. I am pleased to hear from MSD this week that they are actively promoting the site to find another buyer for the plant. The IDA is assisting in marketing this plant and has already had two site visits to Rathdrum. I was also encouraged to hear of the efforts being undertaken to assist MSD’s staff in Rathdrum in finding alternative employment over the coming years,” continued Deputy Harris.

“I will continue to work as hard as I can to promote Wicklow, to bring investment to our county and I will work with everybody involved in enterprise in Wicklow to achieve this,” concluded Deputy Harris.