Both the Tanaiste, Ms Harney and the general secretary of SIPTU, Mr John McDonnell, said yesterday they are "seriously concerned" about the future of Apple's printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing section in Cork. Up to 500 people are employed in the section.

Mr McDonnell and other SIPTU officers met with Ms Harney to discuss the situation and ask her to ensure that all the arguments in favour of the section and its workers, be put to the company when she visits its headquarters in California late next week.

Ms Harney is to meet with Apple executives in San Jose on Friday, June 26th. A decision in relation to the plant is likely to be announced shortly afterwards. Ms Harney is likely to urge the company to target new business for the Cork plant, which currently employs over 1,800.

There has been speculation in the industry that Apple is preparing to cease its involvement in PCB manufacturing. "We have asked the Tanaiste to ensure that all the arguments in favour of Cork be put forward," said Mr McDonnell.