Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I wonder whether the Minister read the article at the weekend by the Irish chief executive of Intel on his concerns about our competitiveness. Intel is accustomed to making adjustments. It is at the cutting edge of technology and research and development is a major aspect of its activity. It is involved in all aspects of manufacturing from research and development and innovation right through to production, and from that viewpoint, it is a very impressive operation. Is the Minister concerned about some of the adjustments being made by Intel which has reduced seriously its number of contractors who were a permanent feature on the Intel site for some time? Perhaps the job losses in this sector have gone under the radar. They might not have been noticed because they have been spread among a number of contractors. Will the Minister engage with firms such as Intel in respect of the concerns they are expressing? As Intel is based in my home town, as well as the constituency I represent, I tend to be realistic when I comment on the adjustments it has to make. However, I am concerned about the loss of jobs at contractor level. Intel has expressed concern about Ireland's economic competitiveness. Does the Minister engage with companies such as Intel, or is he removed from the process, whereby the various agencies discuss matters of this nature with such companies? Does he hear from the agencies rather than directly from companies?

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