MEPs From European Parliament Visit Intel In Leixlip To Discuss Closer EU Collaboration

Thursday, 30 June 2022 09:59

By Caoimhe Harney

The company recently announced a further €12bn investment in its Leixlip plant.

A delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament will visit Leixlip today to receive an update on Intel’s expansion plan and to discuss closer EU collaboration.

The company recently announced a further €12bn investment in its Leixlip plant following an EU strategy to increase semiconductor manufacturing across the bloc.

Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydell, who is the EPP Group Rapporteur on the Chips Act and rapporteur on the Chips Joint Undertaking, will join with local MEPs Colm Markey and Maria Walsh at the construction site today.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr. Markey said the plant will play a key role in making Europe a leader in global semiconductor production.

“The global semiconductor or chips shortage was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and brought car production in many parts of the world to a standstill. Indeed, it’s one of the reasons why the cost of renting a car has soared.

"Earlier this year, the EU responded with the European Chips Act, which aims to strengthen resilience to supply chain disruptions and to increase capacity in R&D and semiconductor production.

"I was delighted that Intel quickly reacted by announcing an €80bn euro investment in Europe, including €12bn in Ireland and 1600 new high tech jobs," he said.

"It’s another vote of confidence in Ireland’s future and a major economic boost for Kildare and south east Meath.

“My EPP colleague Eva Maydell is a key voice on tech and innovation in the European Parliament and played a leading role in the European Chips Act so it’s brilliant that she will get to see up close the kind of work that’s being done on the ground in Kildare to help make Europe the global leader in the production of semiconductors," he added.