The Taoiseach has confirmed that he  held ‘constructive’ talks yesterday  with Apple boss, Tim Cook about the company’s planned data centre in Athenry.

Leo Varadkar met with Apple’s chief executive during a three day trade mission to Silicon Valley.

During his discussion with Mr Cook, Leo Varadkar says he stressed the importance of the 850 million euro data centre in Athenry.

Earlier this week, the High Court refused to allow an appeal against a decision allowing the data centre to be built. However, as yet, Apple has not publicly commented on its commitment to the county Galway development after a series of legal delays.

Meanwhile, the company’s latest set of financial results are better than expected.

Apple has announced revenue of 44-billion euro in the three months to September.

Sales of the iPhone 8 have been steady, with the company's new handset - the X (ten) out in shops today.

Business Editor Vincent Wall says the company performed much better than expected.