Netscape, the Internet software manufacturer locked in a browser war with Microsoft, opened its European development and operations centre in Dublin yesterday, reiterating its promise to create 295 new jobs within three years. Welcoming the speed with which the company had moved to establish its base after it concluded discussions with IDA Ireland, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said the project was invaluable to Ireland because of Netscape's outstanding success.

The Dublin operation is Netscape's first software development centre outside North America; the company aims to shorten its delivery times for products and services to the European market.

Founded in 1994, Netscape was the first commercial Internet browser. It now employs 2,500 people and had revenues last year the equivalent of £225 million.

"The success in winning this investment for Ireland is a major strategic success for the further development of the software industry here, consolidating our position as a world-class location for such international businesses," Ms Harney added. "It is a significant extension of the industry into the growing Internet market, which has considerable job potential."