News & Events

Taoiseach leads investment mission to North America

IDA Ireland mission includes 26 one-on-one meetings and significant business networking engagements in Boston, New York, Montreal and Toronto

IDA Ireland has commenced an investment mission to North America to win new investment for Ireland.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today will meet with existing and potential IDA client companies. Minister Mitchell O'Connor will be accompanied by IDA CEO Martin Shanahan (Boston leg) and Executive Director Mary Buckley (New York).

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD has commenced an investment mission to Montreal and Toronto, accompanied by Martin Shanahan CEO of IDA Ireland. In addition to meeting existing IDA clients and potential investors, the itinerary includes a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who will also address a Chamber of Commerce Lunch in Montreal attended by An Taoiseach and Mr Shanahan.

This FDI mission will involve meetings with some of the biggest companies in the world across the financial services, technology, business services and life sciences sectors.

Minister Mitchell O’Connor said: "The economic importance of American investment in Ireland is well known. The US is our largest source of foreign direct investment and the employment provided by the hundreds of US companies based here is critically important to towns and cities right across the country.”

She added: "I will be discussing projects with further employment potential on this trade and investment mission and I hope that, as in previous years, jobs will be created in Ireland as a result of our engagement with companies in the coming week."

Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: “We use these opportunities to meet with clients in their own headquarters where we can deepen existing relationships and hopefully attract new business to Ireland.”

“Despite the changing political and economic landscape, IDA Ireland’s mission remains unchanged – our job is to win investment for Ireland. We've never had more people employed in FDI companies in Ireland. However, we cannot be complacent about the flow of investment into Ireland - and that is why it is important to maintain these important relationships and communicate Ireland’s offering."

"I expect that the issue of Brexit will feature in many of the meetings - particularly those with Financial Services companies.

“We will be meeting with senior management to detail the unique advantages there are to running part of their businesses from Ireland. Competition for foreign investment has never been as intense and investment missions help IDA Ireland increase awareness of Ireland’s suitability as a place to invest.”

ENDS