Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus an Tánaiste chun an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé. On Monday, I had the pleasure to attend the announcement in Galway that Datavant, one of the world's leading health data platform companies, is to open a global research and development centre in Galway bringing 125 jobs. I acknowledge the IDA team and the consulates across the United States - the Ireland House model of co-operation with the consulates, IDA and enterprise Ireland. In Galway, we are acutely aware of foreign direct investment from companies across the United States and the thousands employed across various sectors. It is with some fear and trepidation this morning that we are dealing with this matter.

It is important to put on the record that we have a strong trading relationship with the United States. Ireland is now the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment into the United States. The aviation sector provides one example, with 930 aircraft currently on order with Boeing from Irish-based companies. This represents three years' worth of Boeing's entire output and is worth $130 billion. The top ten Irish employers in the United States employ 115,000 people and in total it is estimated that some 770 Irish-owned companies employ over 200,000 American workers. Trade is a two-way process and we need to continue the diplomatic relations between our two countries. I wish the Minister of State, the Tánaiste and the Government well in the coming weeks.