Twitter users entice firm to Ireland

TWITTER users are joining forces in a bid to lure the company here — a move that would boost Ireland’s profile and create jobs.

Users of the micro- blogging site have launched campaigns in Ireland aiming to encourage the company to set up its European base in one of the cities.

As well as Dublin, London is also making a big push to encourage Twitter to locate its business there. Dublin already boasts major internet firms such as Facebook, Google and eBay.

Student Adrian Bannon has launched a campaign, on Twitter to bring the company to Ireland. His Twitter account, @BirdCourter has already got more than 700 followers. People are being encouraged to follow him to strengthen the campaign.

Mr Bannon said he was inspired by the power of social media for civic purposes in Egypt and Iran. He believes people power could be the lever that could win Ireland the decision and aid job creation.

“The campaign is going well and we’ll stay campaigning and see how things look after Paddy’s Day and take things from there. I have also discovered residents in Belfast are trying to lure Twitter to Belfast too,” he said.

He is studying technology commercialisation at UL and previously worked at the Institute of International and European Affairs.

“What a thing it would be to have citizens who use Twitter to reach out to the very platform itself and ask it in person to come to Ireland? Considering all the other social media powers we have here, it would be the icing on the cake,” he said.

Meanwhile, speculation intensified that Ireland will be chosen as the location of Twitter’s European headquarters as a company named Twitter Ltd was registered in Dublin. According to the Company’s Registration Office, the company was registered to an address at 27 Lower Camden Street on January 24, 2011. Also registered at this address is Colleran & Company Chartered Accountants. Nobody was available for comment from that company. However, it appears the firm is not related to the main holding company of Twitter.

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey was in Dublin in October to speak at a conference. He said then Twitter is scratching the surface of what it can do and it can grow to one billion users.