The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, will meet with Apple senior vice-president of worldwide operations, Mr Tim Cook today, in a bid to safeguard 500 jobs at Apple's printed circuit board manufacturing section in Cork.

Ms Harney is in the US leading a trade mission and is due to meet Mr Cook at Apple's corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California amid growing concerns about the future of the 500 workers. A decision on whether these jobs can be maintained in Cork is expected to be announced shortly after the meeting. Apple has indicated that it is preparing to cease its involvement in printed circuit board manufacturing.

The Tanaiste will be urging the company to target new business for the Cork plant which employs more than 1,800.