Tesco has signed a £5 million contract with technology company, NCR Ireland, to supply and maintain checkouts at its branches across the country. The Dublin-based company said "every element of the system, from the chip right through to the casing" would be made in Ireland.

Centering on what is known as Point-Of-Sale (POS) equipment and systems integration services, the deal is the biggest contract ever signed by the Irish subsidiary of the US-owned, NCR.

"The equipment is the most innovative and advanced retail POS system in existence, and the Tesco deal represents its first implementation in Ireland," said NCR's general manager in Ireland, Mr Brian Brown.

NCR's Irish operation employs 350 people and has an annual turnover of £120 million.