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TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY used today’s announcement of 215 new jobs as an opportunity to woo multinationals to Irish waters in the wake of Brexit.
In all the splendour of the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, and flanked by the companies’ representatives visiting Ireland for today’s announcement, Kenny indicated that if companies were thinking of jumping ship, Ireland would welcome them with open arms.
It’s never easy, never easy, for companies like yours to say, ‘well, we’re going to switch country, we’re going to go to a different place, a different opportunity.’
But in the context of Brexit, do remember that Ireland is a member of the European Union, it will remain a member of the European Union and it is the only English-speaking country in the Eurozone and obviously offers that unique perspective of 50 years experience… with a proven record of young people being able to meet the challenges set by companies…
But you are in good company here with others that have proven themselves here over the years.
New jobs
The Taoiseach and the Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell-O’Connor said the 215 new jobs announced today will be based in Dublin and Waterford.
The jobs on offer are from US and European companies – Emergenetics, Paragon 28, Telnyx, MacStadium, Endura, Compar, TPGS and Smartfrog.
Harking back to the old days, and urging the Americans in the room to perhaps look up what Irish lineage they might have, Kenny said:
For those of you that haven’t been here before, you should know that 50 years ago, Ireland was a small, inward, backward-looking, agri-based economy. Our joining of the European Union transformed this country over those years and opened our eyes and gates to the world.
He used the opportunity to highlight to multinationals, that from his viewpoint being part of the EU has only been good for both jobs and investors in Ireland.
‘Unapologetic’
The Taoiseach said he is “unapologetic” in promoting a free trade agenda.
“While some other countries want to put up barriers, we want to remove them,” he said.
Despite criticisms from Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster last week that the Irish government were orchestrating planned trips abroad to “poach investors away” from the north, Kenny said Ireland needs to be competitive.
In response to Brexit, he said the government recognises that competition for new investment will be “very strong”.
“As such we have to continue to be very competitive and attractive for new business,” said Kenny.
Multinationals relocating
Since Brexit, it is understood that the IDA has received a significant amount of interest from UK-based companies who are seeking to relocate their operations.
A large number of firms have already made “site visits” to Ireland, with technical teams travelling here in the last number of months to explore how they might operate here and investigate if Ireland’s infrastructure, workforce, and regulations would meet their needs.
Mitchell-O’Connor, who recently came in for criticism over her capability to do the job, delivered a strong speech to the packed out Shelbourne suite today.
“It is terrific news that this group of companies, who are at the forefront of their technologies have decided to locate in Ireland and I look forward to their future expansion here.”
Standing under the ornate Waterford Crystal chandeliers, she said:
When you invest in Ireland, Ireland invests in you.
The yellow box is there for a reason. Lot of people don’t know how to use it.
@Yorkie1892: for parking, right?
@Yorkie1892: Commercial vehicle drivers should know. That is such an idiotic driving.
@eddie horgan: why should they know. Minimum wage job driving a light commercial possibly an agency driver with no English who doesn’t understand the rules in Ireland because the vehicle owner just wants a bum on the seat. The industry is in turmoil because of constantly chasing low costs at any price & this individual with get blamed lose his job & be replaced by another low cost agency worker. It’s only not funny because someone is going to be killed.
@Yorkie1892: Hijacking to air a pet peeve. What’s with the “Keep Clear” boxes? I don’t notice them the way I noticed yellow boxes. Keep it consistent!
@Allora: I’d accept your point about minimum wage etc, but isn’t that the same as every other country? The barriers are the same all over the world, there’s nothing unique about them. It’s just down to stupidity, nothing more
@Yorkie1892: A high percentage of drivers don’t have the patience to wait at the barriers and don’t have a clue how to drive within a city area.
@Yorkie1892: people know what a yellow box is for, they just care
@Yorkie1892: I would be more concerned with the gate coming down than the yellow box.
@DReynolds: stupidity is a possibility or an unfamiliar environment like driving on the wrong side of the road & different signage & rules. Also maybe poorly educated drivers who accept low pay jobs.
It’s going to be a very black Friday for that driver. #unemployed
@Peter Cavey: why should he get sacked we all make mistakes.
He should be sacked because he’s clearly incompetent at following the basic requirements of the job. We can’t just chalk this down as a ‘we all make mistakes’ and let him do it again.
@: Not at a rail crossing and especially not where the driver is expected to be professional. Compounded by forcing his way through the barrier.
@: I think hitting a bridge or other infrastructure like railway crossing is an offence. No business owner can afford to tolerate breaking a law.
@Conor King: Pretty sure this is the one person that will never do this again…
@Cynical There are consequences for stupidity. That’s just the way it is. He should have his licence taken off him as well as his job.
But cyclists are the most dangerous things on the road
@Craic_a_tower: The truck driver – typical cyclist – is wearing neither helmet nor hi-viz.
@Craic_a_tower: we see what you’re doing and we’re not taking the bait. #tool
@Craic_a_tower: if only these road users were trained and had a licence and insurance…oh wait!
@Conoroconnor: and what about tax….don’t forget the tax :-)
@Craic_a_tower: most dangerous thing to themselves
@Thomas Maher: obviously not given this year 2 motorists who weren’t looking at the road ran over a cyclist each. Completely guilty and at fault and didn’t spend a day in prison. Motorists are found to be at fault. If you want you can post up a case in the last year where a cyclist was found at fault for their death by being knocked down.
@Thomas Maher: that’s provably untrue, do some research before you spout your poisonous and dangerous cliches
@Craic_a_tower: you’re a moron
@Craic_a_tower: It wasn’t a cyclist who damaged the gates at a level crossing
Expect to see Shane Ross giving updates from the plinth shortly
What an @sshat. These drivers should be fined heavily and get penalty points for doing this and driving into bridges. The amount of disruption they cause is huge.
No point to talk who is guilty. Train services shouldn’t be suspended. An emergency signals should be there. EOT
I blame Trump!
Same thing just happened to the level crossing in Killarney .. strange.
Sure he was wearing hivis so he is ok.
@Joe Dobias: if only the barrier was wearing a hi viz vest!!! Bloody barriers, asking for trouble.
People should lose their licenses for their incidents like this
At least the second time this year that that has happened, if I’m right
@Ewan O’Doherty: at the very least, because it has happened twice today alone.
He was parked forward of the barrier, so it stopped coming down, then it and the barrier on the far side started to rise again (I assume so the truck could get off the crossing), he couldn’t see the barrier he was under and just drove on…
This is because there is a right turn into Serpintine Court just after the level crossing and the traffic moves but then gets stopped when someone takes a right turn so you get stuck in the yellow box.
have your say