The Taoiseach said yesterday the Government was already taking steps to ensure that Ireland remained the location of choice for technological companies. "I am convinced the future will be increasingly digital," Mr Ahern said.
He was speaking in Limerick at the official opening of Dell Computer's third European manufacturing facility at the Raheen Industrial Estate.
Dell already employs more than 5,600 people in the Republic and the new facility increases its manufacturing area to more than one million square feet. He described Dell as "a tremendous flagship for Ireland" and pointed out that almost one-quarter of the firm's operations, with an annual sales order of almost £19 billion in 34 countries, were situated in this State.
The company's chairman and chief executive, Mr Michael Dell, said the company began operations in Ireland with 120 employees 10 years ago. Meanwhile, the
Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, yesterday opened the Cable & Wireless global operations centre at Shannon. The job creation target at the facility is set at 110 this year and 75 are already employed on the project.
Earlier, Ms Harney formally opened the Limerick Enterprise Development Park on the site of the former Krups plant in the city, to which the Government allocated £1.04 million in funding.
