IDA opens new offices in California

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan today officially opened the new offices of IDA Ireland in Irvine, California.

The Tánaiste, accompanied by Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, is on an official visit to the US west coast to promote links between US companies and Ireland.

Ms Coughlan said today's opening "illustrates the importance of investment from the US west coast to Ireland".

There are currently over 460 US companies in Ireland employing over 100,000 people and the US is Ireland’s largest source of inward investment.

The opening of additional US offices by IDA Ireland is part of the Government’s strategy to increase foreign direct investment, which has also resulted in new offices being opened in Paris, Shanghai and Mumbai.

While on the US west coast, the Tánaiste will meet with representatives from many local companies who have significant existing operations in Ireland, as well as a number of potential clients.

In recent months there have been significant investment announcements from many of these companies, including PayPal, HP, Intel and Big Fish Games.

“Ireland has consistently proven to be the preferred location in Europe for global companies successfully serving the lucrative European market," Ms Coughlan said.

"The level of foreign direct investment in Ireland is proportionately one of the highest in the world," the Tánaiste said.

"Today, over 1,000 overseas companies have substantial international operations in Ireland. These include many of the leading companies in information technology and communications, life sciences, international services, and financial services”."