Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

775. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of face-to-face or telephone conversations and the dates of these conversations she has had with companies currently based in Britain regarding the possibility of them moving some or all of their operations here post-Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17947/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The IDA is working assiduously, on a daily basis, to pursue opportunities for new foreign direct investment (FDI) that may arise for Ireland on account of Brexit. This process involves engaging with potential clients, both at home and abroad, in connection with various issues associated with locating or expanding in Ireland. This work is highly sensitive in nature, given the commercial nature of the decisions these companies will ultimately take.

As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I work closely with IDA Ireland in support of their efforts to win new FDI - whether Brexit-related or not - for the country. This includes participating on Agency-organised marketing and investment programmes abroad, attending relevant industry events and promoting Ireland as an investment location.

Convincing companies to invest here can be a delicate process that requires perseverance and patience. This is especially the case with regard to Brexit-related investment on account of the various political considerations at play. It is therefore not in the country’s interests to set out, in detail, the specific engagement that has been undertaken with targeted new investors. In fact, to do so would risk both compromising the progress that has been made with prospective new clients of the Agency and losing the potential jobs that might accompany any such new future investment here.