Intel confirms new multi-billion investment goes to continental Europe, not Ireland      

A team at the Intel plant in Leixlip, Co Kildare. Intel has confirmed that the vast bulk of a multi-year €70bn new investment is heading to continental Europe. It had said last year its headcount here would increase to 6,500 people from 5,000 staff it employs in Leixlip and in Shannon, Co Clare.

Intel has confirmed that the vast bulk of a multi-year €70bn new investment is heading for the first time to continental Europe, but the Government is taking solace as the semiconductor giant provided further details of plans for its longstanding Leixlip plant in Co Kildare. 

Ireland had competed by offering a greenfield site for the enormous investment that has the potential to create 10,000 jobs over the next decade. However, it emerged last year that Germany had won out as the new location.