Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I join with Senators Jim D'Arcy, Brennan and Mary Ann O'Brien in welcoming this afternoon's announcement by PayPal to the effect that it will locate 1,000 jobs in Dundalk or, as Senator Jim D'Arcy clarified for us, Haggardstown, during the coming four years. It is great news for the north east, including the counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath and north Dublin. I congratulate everyone who was involved in bringing about this day. In particular, I congratulate a young lady from Raheen Upper, Donaghmore, County Laois, Ms Louise Phelan, the vice president of PayPal Europe. Ms Phelan was responsible in no small way for ensuring these jobs came to Dundalk, as well as for the 1,500 jobs that are already located in Blanchardstown. It is worth noting that she is the sister of our late colleague, former Senator Kieran Phelan.