Northern Ireland pharmaceutical group, Galen Holdings, has been granted planning permission by Louth County Council to build a new manufacturing plant at Ardee, Co Louth, the company's first in the Republic.

The development will involve an initial investment of £33 million (€54 million) and will create around 150 contract jobs during the construction phase, which is expected to last 18 months.

At least 110 permanent positions will be created at the 80,000 sq ft plant between 2003 and 2006, Galen said.