The 220 workers in the new Sandoz pharmaceutical plant in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, have been assured their jobs are safe for the immediate future following the merger between Sandoz and Ciba Geigy.

The merger, believed to be the largest corporate merger ever, creates Europe's third largest company and the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world.

A spokesperson for Sandoz in Cork said the merger of the two Swiss companies would have no immediate impact on the Cork plant. However a team was examining the effects of the merger on employment. It is expected to report in about six months.