Apple has confirmed it is to axe nearly a third of the workforce at its Cork, Ireland manufacturing plant. Some 450 jobs will be be cut, out of a total workforce of 1400, which comprises 1000 full-time positions and 400 temporary staff. According to sources at the Irish Development Agency, the bulk of the layoffs will be part-timers. The Irish deputy prime minister, Mary Harney, described the cuts as a "severe blow" to the works and to Cork as a whole. The plant's remaining staff will continue to punch out Power Mac G3s. However, iMac production will be shifted to LG Electronics' facility in Wales. ®