The Taoiseach arrived on the Fine Gael campaign bus with an entourage of staff, to be greeted by outgoing TD Charlie Flanagan and the centre manager Paul Dempsey.
He met management and staff in the Procon factory - formerly Standex - who produce pumps for coffee machines, exporting mainly to Italy, where manager Kevin Egan outlined their expansion plan and the difficulty in sourcing qualified staff at a time of full employment.
He then met staff and some children in Sonas Community Creche, where the manager Frances gave him a tour.
The Taoiseach toured the temporary headquarters of Laois Offaly Garda Division's Performance Assurance section who have rented out the MDA remote working hub until the upgraded Portlaoise Garda station is built. Superintendent Dermot Drea explained how they expect to be in the hub for several years to come.
Taoiseach Harris also spoke to Mountmellick Town Team chair Fran Baker about the need for a Mountmellick bypass.
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