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The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, will travel today (Monday) on an official visit to San Francisco, California. The purpose of the visit is to highlight the importance of the two-way trade and investment relationship between Ireland and the United States, and to meet with a number of companies in Silicon Valley that have a long-standing and significant presence in Ireland.

The Minister will meet with key IDA client companies across the technology and internet sectors and will participate in an Enterprise Ireland event targeting companies in the financial services and fintech sectors. Minister Donohoe is also looking forward to engaging with the Irish business community in the Bay Area, and to meeting members of the Irish community at the Consulate General in San Francisco during the course of his visit.

Speaking in advance of his visit, the Minister said: ‘Ireland has been a bridge to Europe for US companies for over 70 years, with over 1,400 international companies having chosen Ireland as their strategic base in Europe. Many of these companies have their headquarters in California and employ significant numbers of people in Ireland. There are now more people employed by International companies in Ireland than ever before, with IDA clients accounting for over 10% of the workforce.’

“This is a two-way trade and investment relationship, with a growing number of Irish companies investing and creating jobs across the United States, including in California. I look forward to meeting with Irish businesses during my visit, and to discussing how the Government can continue to support Irish business and strengthen this important relationship.’

Outline of itinerary in San Francisco:

• Meetings with IDA client companies;
• Meetings hosted by the Irish Consulate General with Irish and Irish American business and community leaders in the Bay Area;
• Enterprise Ireland business breakfast to discuss financial services & fintech.