Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she and her Department continue to be reassured regarding the protection of jobs arising from foreign direct investment here, notwithstanding European, United States and global political issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6633/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to continue to attract foreign direct investment notwithstanding the geopolitical situations now arising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6634/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

The State has a long track record – built up over 67 years by the work of IDA Ireland – in winning foreign direct investment (FDI) for the Irish people. Over that period, the world economy has changed shape many times, yet Ireland has remained an attractive destination for FDI. As the global investment climate continues to evolve, we will adapt accordingly – as we have done so in the past – and make sure that Ireland continues to secure new FDI projects and the jobs that go with them.

Our capacity to continue winning such new investment, despite geopolitical changes, will be aided by the underlying strengths of our FDI offering. These include our talented workforce, pro-enterprise business environment, first-rate education system and our proven track record as a home to global businesses. Our continued membership of the European Union and Eurozone has also become particularly important.