Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Taoiseach if he will outline his recent engagements with the Governor of the US State of California, Jerry Brown, on his recent visit to Ireland in July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39056/13]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I hosted a brief courtesy call from Governor Brown on 18 July in Government Buildings. Governor Brown was on a private visit to Ireland, and was accompanied by his wife, Anne Gust, and his sister, Kathleen Brown. Our discussions were informal and covered a range of issues including the economic challenges for Ireland and California, as well as the challenges for other EU economies and the Eurozone. I briefed the Governor on Ireland’s successful EU Presidency, which yielded a mandate to open negotiations on an EU-US Trade Agreement. The Governor highlighted his work in addressing climate change, which is an important issue for the State of California.

The Governor and I also discussed the economic relationship between Ireland and California. Several Californian multinational companies operate in Ireland, creating valuable employment which is extremely beneficial to our economy. Likewise, California is an important centre for Irish business. There are more than 50 Irish companies with offices there and, each year, a further eight to ten Irish companies - mostly in the technology sector - establish new operations in California.

When I was in California earlier this year, I visited Orange County, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles, where I met a range of companies that provide employment in Ireland. I attended jobs announcements at Yahoo! and McAfee, which resulted in a total of 260 new jobs for Ireland. Our discussions also reflected the strong cultural and community connections between the US and Ireland. This led to a conversation about the Governor’s Irish Heritage, and our ongoing initiatives to engage with the Irish Diaspora, including the Global Irish Economic Forum, which was held in Dublin Castle last week.