Global pharma group Almac has decided to open a new facility in Dundalk, County Louth, to ensure its "continued presence within the European Union in the long term".

Almac will roll out 100 new jobs at the Dundalk base over the next two years, the Irish Independent reports.

The pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organisation has its global and European headquarters in Craigavon, County Armagh, but is expanding south of the border to make sure it retains access to the single market once Brexit comes into effect. 

The Armagh facility will not be affected, with Almac Group chief executive Alan Armstrong saying:

"This news comes in addition to our recent announcement of a £27m investment at our global Headquarter site in Craigavon, our US operations and our European facility in Athlone."

Almac's HQ in Craigavon. almacgroup.com

IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan said:

"Almac’s decision to expand into Dundalk provides the company with certainty of access to the European Union in the long-term – this certainty of access is an increasingly important selling point for Ireland as we look to win business for Ireland."