Mr. Feargal O'Rourke:

It has altered a bit. For example, 20 years ago tax was a predominant consideration in site location. If I fast-forward to 2024, tax is important, but it is not the single dominant factor, far from it. We have evolved. In recent years, two thirds of all investments have come from companies already here. The reason they have expanded here is that word goes back to headquarters that Ireland is a great place to do business and the country really works.

Over my career, I have noticed that there is one thing that Irish people in multinational organisations are really good at, more so than in any other country I have seen. They are very good at understanding who runs the show back at headquarters, what the roadmap back at headquarters is, and the people they need to know back at headquarters in order to get Ireland to the front of the queue for the next wave. Irish people are really good at that.

As the pitch has evolved over the years, the single biggest issue now relates to track record and the fact that we do what it says on the tin. We deliver a quality service with great people and with access to the market. We are pro-inward investment. That track record is probably our single biggest factor. Access to the European market is now fully understood. That talent bit is important as is the fact that we are so welcoming to the people coming to meet the need we have. That is not the case in every country in Europe and it is seen as a positive here. The pitch alters not fundamentally, but the nuances change from time to time as we have to bring something new to the table.