Will the Leader invite the Taoiseach to the House to outline the discussions he had with Tim Cook, the boss of Apple, in San Francisco? The situation relating to the proposed €850 million data centre for Athenry is very serious. The project has overcome many planning difficulties in the past two years. The last of these were cleared in the High Court last week. The project should be going to tender at this point. I recognise the contribution Apple has made to the Irish economy, with 5,000 jobs in Cork and 1,000 new jobs expected. Let us be clear that Tim Cook and Apple have been good friends to Ireland, but Ireland has also been a good friend - from a taxation perspective - to Apple. The company should bear that in mind when making its decision. The Taoiseach said that consideration is being given to what it is going to be done in respect of this project. In the words of Pete St. John, "Low lie the fields of Athenry". It will be a very low day for Athenry if this project does not go ahead.

Hear, hear.

The construction jobs will be magnificent and afterwards there will be 50 to 100 jobs available, although we do not know the exact number. From a psychological point of view and from an international perspective, to locate this centre in Athenry, which is situated in the west of Ireland, would give hope and encouragement to those seeking employment in the region. Martin Shanahan, head of IDA Ireland, seemed to indicate that he is not that hopeful the project will go ahead. It will be for him and IDA Ireland to concentrate on bringing jobs to Athenry and the west of Ireland to compensate - if it happens - for the loss of the project. We should appeal to Tim Cook to reconsider the situation and proceed with the project. Last night, the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, stated in the Lower House that the project has not been abandoned and is part of our future. That should be confirmed because there are two conflicting views. The Taoiseach seemed pessimistic. It was not a good exercise to go there and come back with bad news. Normally, when taoisigh go abroad on industrial missions, as I did myself, they come back with the bacon and not bad news.

The Senator came back with no news many a time.

We were there when Apple came to Ireland. I was a Minister of State when Intel came to Leixlip so I can tell the Leader one thing: it was Fianna Fáil that made us great.