The Tanaiste yesterday denied that Apple Computers had already taken a decision to transfer its 500 job Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing unit in Cork to the Far East, writes Barry Roche. Ms Harney said she had spoken to Apple executive, Mr Tim Cook, who was carrying out the strategic review of the company and he told her that no decision would be made until after she met him in the US next Friday.

But she was worried for the future of the PCB manufacturing unit in Cork and pointed out that the company no longer had any PCB manufacturing units in the US, but was making PCBs in the Far East where labour costs were lower.