MINISTER for Defence Willie O'Dea has dismissed a media report that Dell computers has told the Government it intends ending its Irish operation next year with a loss of 4,400 jobs.

Mr O'Dea denied he and Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Mary Coughlan had been recently given the news by the company, which has plants in Limerick and Wicklow.

"The report is just a total untruth, a total lie. I know that Minister Coughlan has not been informed about any decision by Dell either because I'm keeping in close touch with her about the situation,'' he said.