Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2026
161. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether consideration has been given to the development of a radiopharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation sector in Ireland; and potential economic and strategic benefits associated with such development. [50122/26]
View answerGovernment recognises the strategic importance of Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector, which is a cornerstone of the economy, supporting significant employment, exports and investment, and underpinning Ireland’s position as a global leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Building on these strengths, the potential to develop emerging areas such as radiopharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation is kept under ongoing consideration by my Department and its agencies.
Radiopharmaceuticals represent a growing and highly specialised field, particularly in diagnostics and targeted cancer treatments, and align with EU priorities under the Critical Medicines Act to strengthen supply chain resilience and security of supply for essential medicines. The EU Biotech Act also seeks to support innovation and scale-up across advanced therapeutic sectors, also providing a favourable policy context.
The development of a radiopharmaceutical capability in Ireland could present economic opportunities, including high-value jobs and investment, while also delivering strategic benefits by enhancing resilience in the supply of critical and time-sensitive medicines.
My Department is currently developing Ireland’s first National Life Sciences Strategy, which will examine future growth opportunities across the sector, including emerging and high-potential areas such as radiopharmaceuticals, ensuring Ireland remains at the forefront of global life sciences innovation.
Finally, enterprise agencies under my Department's remit continue to engage with industry stakeholders to identify opportunities to build on Ireland’s strengths in pharmaceutical manufacturing, research, and talent.
