THE Lord Mayor of Cork has assured senior officials at Apple that key infrastructural projects like the Northern Ring Road are a top priority for the city.

The statement is likely to heap pressure on the government to deliver the road which has long been seen as essential to unlocking the long-term potential of the northside.

Executives also heard that enhancing the city's housing offering is crucial in terms of sustaining business on the northside.

Cllr Tony Fitzgerald met with executives yesterday at their Cupertino base in California as part of the Cork delegation's weeklong visit to San Francisco. The meeting took place at the same time that Apple chief Tim Cook met with US President Donald Trump.

Reporting back, Mr Fitzgerald said that Apple remains committed to Cork.

"It was a mutual exchange of ideas," he said.

"We discussed the current extension of the Apple base in Hollyhill and continued community support in the area."

He continued, "We all agreed that for the Hollyhill plant, the Northern Ring Road is big, both for Apple and for other industry on the northside of the city.

"Housing is also crucial for employees but, generally, it was a very positive conversation and Apple is keen to keep their presence and their EMEA headquarters in Cork."

The Lord Mayor was speaking after a 17 hour day that involved a round trip from San Francisco to Cupertino and meetings with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland where he was told that Cork is 'an ideal location' for foreign-direct investment in the coming years.

Later today, he will have a breakfast meeting with Cork Chamber and business stakeholders before moving on to discussions about lifelong learning.