Ladies and gentlemen.
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to visit your company today to mark the start of Irish Distillers expansion programme.
The historic whiskeys and brands that are part of the Irish Distillers group have been representing Ireland abroad for centuries now.
Jameson in particular has helped to convey an image of high quality and excellent value for Irish food and drink products abroad.
It is fantastic that the renewed popularity of Irish drinks internationally is driving huge export growth for the company and the industry.
I understand that sales of cases of Jameson whiskey have increased by 750% since 1988 with 3.4 million cases sold this year. This represents phenomenal growth for a drinks manufacturing company.
The international recognition and popularity of Jameson is best demonstrated by the hugely popular Jameson Distillery visitor centres in Dublin’s Smithfield and here in Cork.
The expansion of Irish Distillers operations as announced today is a vote of confidence that increased exports and sales are expected well into the future even during these tough economic times internationally.
This increased recognition and respect for Irish brands abroad reflects well on the entire economy and opens doors to new markets and exports.
Closer to home this €100 million expansion of operations here is fantastic news for Midleton and for Cork. Getting people back to work is central to our economic recovery and the new jobs created by Irish Distillers will inspire new hope in those lucky enough to get back to work here.
I understand that construction is expected to start next March and will result in the creation of some 250 construction jobs.
Also I noted some months back, your company announced another €100m project in the nearby village of Dungourney with the building of 40 warehouses there where your whiskey will be matured; a process involving using used Port barrels. Information I gleamed from the Dublin tour!
I believe you expect that the first of these warehouses will become operational in early 2014. Half of the 60 jobs created will be here in Midleton in addition to the 110 people already employed.
It is new enterprise activities and growth in exports that will pave the way for Ireland’s recovery. This can be best encouraged by providing a stable economic environment that attracts in new business and investment.
In recent months alone numerous multi-national companies have shown their confidence in Ireland by committing to new investments here that will create thousands of new jobs.
The recent weeks alone, I have visited companies like Apple in Cork, Mylan in Dublin, Transero in Shannon, and Cisco in Galway, - all of whom have decided to hire more employees.
I want to continue and grow this strong flow of inward investment in the future, for our future.
Throughout the Eurozone crisis, I have consistently argued that Europe needs to develop a growth and jobs strategy.
I discussed the need for a new focus on jobs and growth with other European Leaders at yesterday’s informal meeting in Brussels.
More focus on growth, jobs and enterprise will benefit the Cork region along with the rest of Europe.
In pursuing this objective, we have been ably assisted by our colleagues in Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, who have played a key role in promoting entrepreneurship, new investment and new start-up activity throughout Cork County.
Since the beginning of 2011, Enterprise Ireland has approved over €15.5m in funding to its client companies in Co. Cork.
Overall, Enterprise Ireland has a client base of almost 700 client companies in County Cork, employing almost 20,000 people – an increase of 5% over 2010; a similar number are employed indirectly on foot of their activities.
EI client companies based in Cork, including IDL, have invested well over €6bn in the national economy over the last three years by sourcing locally produced raw materials, spending on local services and wages and salaries.
My mission is to see this continue and expand.
Thank you for inviting me here today. I would like to congratulate all concerned on this programme of expansion and I wish you every success with your exciting new project.
ENDS