Dell may launch a $53bn bid for data storage maker EMC, as early as later today according to reports in today's Financial Times.

If it goes ahead, this is likely to be the biggest ever merger in the tech sector.

Privately-owned Dell has facilities in Bray, Cork and Limerick, where employees are principally involved in research & development and a wide range of customer support services.

EMC has a major manufacturing plant in Cork, the largest outside the US - more than 5,000 people employed here between the two companies.

Adding EMC’s storage business to Dell’s servers, IT services and PCs would round out its range of technology services as it tries to compete on all fronts with the likes of IBM and Hewlett Packard.

EMC has agreed to a stock and cash offer of $33 per share, but in an unusual move, it will have 60 days to seek a better offer from other potential suitors.