Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that I speak to representatives of companies all the time. We have investment announcements all the time. I have been to the US three times this year and I suspect I will be going again early next year. The US is where most of the tech multinationals are coming from, although not all of them. We were in South Korea recently seeking to attract more tech interest and investment. Regarding some of the global giants that have been built in South Korea, we would like to see an increased footprint here in Ireland, if possible, as they seek to diversify and expand in the European market.

The way IDA Ireland works is such that it does not just bring companies into Ireland but also ensures that, when they are here, they are properly looked after and that we hear from them when they have concerns. Yesterday, I had an hour-long meeting with representatives of a very large tech company in Galway to make sure we fully understand its view on competitiveness in Ireland by comparison with other parts of the world.

Those interactions happen all the time. Later today I will visit Intel for an hour and a half or so to fully understand its perspective on competitiveness in Ireland.

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