Mary Lou McDonald TD
Mary Lou McDonald TD
Uachtarán Shinn Féin (President of Sinn Féin)
American companies are an important component of Ireland’s economy. You will play a big part in achieving future growth and success in 2025 and beyond. The statistics speak for themselves. Close to 970 US companies employ 210,000 people in Ireland and indirectly support 168,000 jobs. That we build on this success is critically important for building prosperity and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.
For US investors, Ireland stands out as an international location of choice for business and jobs growth fuelled by a culture of partnership and collaboration across many sectors. The strength of Ireland’s economy and its attractiveness for FDI is driven by a young population that is highly educated, incredibly talented, and motivated by an appetite for innovation, creativity, problem-solving and the generation of new ideas. These attributes combine powerfully to ensure high levels of productivity. Ireland gets the job done. To realise our full potential, attracting FDI must be allied to a modern strategy for building the domestic economy even further.
The performance of the all-Ireland economy, particularly post-Brexit, presents real opportunities for US investment now and over the course of the next decade. For US companies, Ireland is the gateway to the European Single Market and the clear choice for the location of European Headquarters.
We have enjoyed much success over the years but there is so much more to be achieved. The incoming Irish government must be focused on driving Ireland’s competitiveness with smart and ambitious investments in our infrastructure, higher education, research and development and in spearheading our clean energy transformation and security. There must also be a strategic focus on building the workforce skills and capacity necessary to drive success and competitiveness in the digital age. These are the investments that will take Ireland to the next level and strengthen our attractiveness for investment into the future. We must always work to ensure that Ireland is a good place in which to live, work and do business. A secure society in which opportunity is open to all is the best environment for growth and progress.
Much has been said about the potential impact on the US-Irish economic relationship from President Trump’s return to office. However, I am certain that the shared commitment of our countries to the principles of prosperity, progress, innovation, and growth are what will drive investment between Ireland and the United States over the next five years. Protecting FDI, growing opportunities for transatlantic trade, and securing new jobs are key to moving forward with ambition and positivity.
The world is an increasingly volatile and changing place. The challenges are big but so are the opportunities. We must look to the future with confidence and optimism. I’ve no doubt that our unique relationship will be to the fore once again as we work together to advance economic success, to grow US-Ireland investment, and to build prosperity for our people.
To realise our full potential, attracting FDI must be allied to a modern strategy for building the domestic economy even further.