Published on Tuesday1stAugust2017

Ireland submits its bid to relocate the European Medicines Agency from London to Dublin

Health Minister Simon Harris has said that Dublin is the perfect new home for the European Medicines Agency. Ireland has now submitted its formal bid to relocate the EMA from London to Dublin. The UK’s decision to leave the EU means that the Agency will have to move as a result of Brexit.

Minister Harris said:

Maximising staff retention and continuing to attract the best expertise to the EMA are vital to the future of the Agency. Moving the EMA to a neighbouring country, where English is the main language, is the least disruptive option for London-based staff. Dublin also offers the option to commute if families of EMA staff wish to remain in London for a period after Brexit.

We firmly believe that a move to Dublin will ensure that European citizens can continue to have access to safe, innovative medicines, and that the EMA retains its reputation for excellence in the global regulatory system.

Key to the Irish offer is the whole-of-government commitment to ensuring that the EMA can relocate to its new home and carry out its functions from day one. Therefore, if Ireland is selected, the Government will establish a Transition Taskforce to work with the EMA to plan, manage and implement the relocation.

Read the full press release here.