A company based in Co Louth has pledged to create two hundred jobs today.
They will be created over the next five years at National Pen in Dundalk, bringing the total number of people working at its base in Xerox Technology Park to 500.
“We celebrated 25 years of business in Dundalk last year and moved to a new custom designed facility to accommodate the growth of our international business and the demand for our products,” said National Pen senior vice president Peter Kelly.
“Ireland is a great location from which to service our global markets.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny says it shows a commitment to Ireland from a key export company.
"National Pen is a key export-oriented company and announcements like this are a significant signal of Ireland's strengths as a location for investment - our people, our pro-business policies and our proximity to European markets," he said.
Positions in sales, customer services, manufacturing, technical and administrative functions will be created.
The Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton, was also at the announcement today.
"When you look at what's happened here in National Pen, it's a good example. Through the recession they've been adding employment, and now as we emerge from the recession they're showing even greater ambition," he said.
"They've forged connections into new markets … they've been able to recognise… 90% of the growth in trade is going to be outside the EU."