The Taoiseach is in New York as part of his United States visit to mark St Patrick’s Day. On Monday the Taoiseach met with Duncan Niederauer, CEO of the New York Stock Exchange, before giving his address and ringing the opening bell.
In his address, the Taoiseach said “It’s a great honor for me to ring the opening bell on Ireland Day at the New York Stock Exchange.
“This is an annual occasion when the eyes of the world are on Ireland and I’m pleased to be associated with the launch of Ireland Inc on Ireland Day 2012.
“It is a real source of pride to me and to all Irish people that so many of our countrymen and women have helped to build this city and its institutions.
“Here on Wall Street the Irish footprint is clear whether you look at the trading floor, the brokerages, banks, even the business media, our Irish family stretches the globe… a 70million strong diaspora who have been strong advocates for the Irish economy and the Irish people.”
The Taoiseach spoke of Ireland’s economic recovery, and some key strengths of the Irish economy. He said “Ireland is turning a corner. It’s been a year of steady progress for Ireland. Our economy is growing. Deposits are flowing back into our banks. Exports are thriving. American investors are looking at Ireland and liking what they see. We are a determined government, determined to succeed.
“As we grow our economy, we will build on our key strengths. I want to mention just two of these today.
“Firstly, within our international financial services sector, we are developing Ireland as a centre of excellence in green finance. Today, we are launching a global green asset management network, capitalizing on over $10 billion in green assets managed, domiciled or serviced in Ireland, making us an emerging leader in green finance.
“Secondly, we are well on the way to establishing Ireland as one of the cloud computing capitals of the world. Seven of the world’s top ten Cloud Data Centre operators are already in Ireland, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft.”
The Irish leader continued “My message to you this St Patrick’s week is that there has never been a better time to invest in Ireland and to be part of our recovery. Ireland is a new land of opportunity for international investors. Why?
“Because Ireland is the gateway… your gateway… to a European market of 500 million people. We have a young, highly-educated, highly-motivated, English-speaking workforce, competitive corporation tax, good infrastructure, a government determined to succeed. The World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ Report 2011 found Ireland to be the most supportive business environment in the Euro area.”
Source: MerrionStreet.ie.
11 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.esatdigiwank | Mar 21, 2012, 07:02 AM EDT
Steady on Enda, just do not mention the words ' second multi-billion euro bailout loan'. Ireland Inc: G o l d m a n S a c h s greatest wet dream ever.
LoyalCitizen | Mar 20, 2012, 07:55 PM EDT
As if Ireland has any more money to fritter away with pretentious American Corporations availing of any funds they can get their hands on........How did he sell a country that's insolvent several times over..........The guy is living ion lala land.
joan1954 | Mar 20, 2012, 07:27 PM EDT
I think what he is doing is great but not going far enough. There are many companies which are headquartered in Texas but few from Enterprise Ireland bother to come down here and have a look see. Explains in a nutshell why Britain is reeling in these firms for themselves. But Britain has a Consulate in Houston and an honorary in San Antonio. Ireland needs to wake up and see what is on the other side of the fence.
seanomelb | Mar 20, 2012, 05:37 PM EDT
I'm no fan of Kenny and I realise a lot of people are still hurting from the GFC but we do need to get out and sell the positives to the world and that is what Kenny is doing.The smart ar@e comments are part of the negativity of those who wish Ireland to fail.On this occasion Kenny "Well Done". A plague on the naysayers.
Murph46 | Mar 20, 2012, 04:12 PM EDT
Right on KevinPK- see my post below,a lot of people bark ,but have no concrete ideas.There are too many people out there who dis the relationship with the US when we seem to be one of the few countries investing in Ireland
KevinPKavanagh | Mar 20, 2012, 01:00 PM EDT
Sometimes, some of the comments from readers frustrate me. Why the negativity?!?!? And why the personal attacks?!? It is so easy for some people to slander with the pen (or keyboard) when we all know they would never have the courage to say it to the person's face. The Prime Minister looks fine and his message is that he wants others to invest in Ireland's future! There is not a thing wrong with that! Try supporting him rather than criticizing him. Slainte!!
butlerreport | Mar 20, 2012, 10:53 AM EDT
Why does he have to look like a demented Leprechaun in the picture? Ireland does not have a well educated work force - not that this that important to multinationals. The only interest multinationals have in Ireland is the ability to pay little or no tax on earnings.
Ballyphehane1 | Mar 20, 2012, 10:42 AM EDT
I know I probably shouldn't say this but he looks a little like a leprechaun in that photo. Geez, between him and Michael D, we don't have the best looking ambassadors for Ireland, do we... As for what he has to say - if it results in some good jobs being generated in Ireland, then it can't be that bad.
Portia777 | Mar 20, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT
esatdigiwank What the hell is 'Ireland Inc'It means Sovereign Eire is now a corportaion like USA Inc
Murph46 | Mar 20, 2012, 10:07 AM EDT
hey esatdigiwank he has to start some where-Maybe he should speak to a lowly community activist from Chicago who nver developed a thing!Should he stand on a corner begging?You seem to slam all he does where are your brilliant ideas?
esatdigiwank | Mar 20, 2012, 08:21 AM EDT
What the hell is 'Ireland Inc'?? And so the Wall St sharks with gratitude get to know in person the twat who has Ireland in hock to the unwarranted debt of foreign banks for the next 3 decades.. Lets add some appositedly omitted speech: "Because Ireland has a young, highly educated...workforce 'the bulk of which are not multi-lingual so inward Third World immigration must fill the vacancies of which to you we are so grateful for.. "A new land of opportunity to investors ' now that we must flog off state assets on the cheap to offset the interest payments on our emergency €85bn external loan'". "Ireland as a center of excellence for green finance.." , we know the euphemisim 'centers of excellences' by now; don't hold your breath..For 'green', you could read 'sharia/islam'. "Grow our economy". We cannot create indigenous industry, native jobs, so we must nab a few hundred off you Stateside every now and again..Have you seen how sh#tty our GNP really is?? Still turning a corner.