Computer chip maker Intel has opened a €1.6 billion extension to its Leixlip plant Co Kildare. A proposal to give €170m of grant aid to the plant from the Government never proceeded because the European Commission said it wanted to carry out an 18 month review of the financial support.
The new FAB 24 plant at Leixlip is is the first plant of its kind outside the US. Intel has hailed it as the maker of world champion computer chips. 'The new facility is the most technologically advanced, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing plant in the world building multi-core microprocessors,' a statement from the company said.
The Government had wanted to give grant aid of €170m for the new plant. But the EU said it wanted to carry out an 18 month review of the funding. At issue was whether it was the money would be used for innovation or not. But Intel decided to go ahead without the support.
At the opening of the plant today, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was important that such developments were not lost to Europe.
Sean Dorgan, head of IDA Ireland, also pointed out that recent Intel investments had gone to Arizona and Israel.
The Government has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Intel to boost computer and internet penetration in Ireland. That would manifest itself in low cost computers and printers which would be targeted at marginalised or elderly groups.
