THE Government and IDA Ireland had made "detailed inputs" to the Apple Computer board in America as to why its plant in Cork should not be reduced in size, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, has said.

Apple is engaged at present in a global review of its operations and fears have been expressed that the Cork plant will suffer as a result. Speaking in Cork yesterday, where he announced 250 new jobs in various small industries, Mr Bruton said he was confident that Apple - which employs over 1,000 people in the city - would continue to play an important role in the local economy.