Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the ordering of questions, I submitted a question on 30 March asking the Taoiseach about whether he intended to meet the CEOs of multinational companies personally, considering Ireland is a location in which to do business. I received a letter the following day telling me my question had been rejected and that it was being resubmitted to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. I still have not received an answer. I tabled the question in light of the programme for Government and promised business from inward investment.

It has emerged in the news that the social networking giant Twitter met the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, who was selling London as the location for its European headquarters. We read in this morning's newspapers that Twitter had started recruiting for a London head office and that Ireland may have been overlooked, which I am sure the Taoiseach would agree is disappointing, given that the IDA and the outgoing Government were endeavouring to build on the success of bringing Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking companies to Ireland.

Will the Taoiseach indicate what plans he has to meet CEOs of multinationals in the coming weeks to attract their companies to this country? What of the broader role of the Department of the Taoiseach in implementing the programme for Government's commitments on inward investment? Did he meet the CEO of Twitter?

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