Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the decision by Apple to develop the facility near Athenry. It is important to give recognition to Apple for the contribution it has made to economic development of Cork where it currently employs more than 4,000 people. It is a huge employer and has played a major part in the Cork region. I want to kill the rumour that it moved to Athenry because we overheat in Cork from time to time; I can assure everyone that is not the case. As always Apple approaches projects such as this in a professional manner and has been good at looking after its employees down through the years.

I wish to raise an issue about which I am very concerned, having raised it previously about four weeks ago. I am concerned about nurses who have trained abroad who want to come back and work in Ireland. This morning I received a call from a person who was in contact with me before Christmas who applied to register with An Bord Altranais in order to practise in Ireland. The person has a job but cannot take it up because of not being registered. I understand that some people who applied in November 2014 are still not registered with An Bord Altranais. I am extremely concerned that on the one hand we are encouraging people to come back to work in the health service yet we have an agency that is not facilitating their return. I ask the Leader to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister and invite him to come to the House for a debate at the earliest possible opportunity. The matter is of serious concern and it needs to be dealt with immediately.