US technology company Avocent will create 70 jobs at its operation in Shannon. The move, announced by the Tanaiste Ms Harney, will bring numbers at the plant to 160.

Avocent is the world's leading provider of technologies to help data centre managers operate their server farms. The Irish operation serves all markets outside America.

Ms Harney said the expansion, which involves capital investment of $4.1 million (€4.87 million), signalled the company's confidence in its Irish operation.