The Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton has admitted that he has not sought a meeting with Twitter executives despite media reports over the past number of weeks that the social network giant is considering Dublin or London as a location for its international headquarters.
Despite the fact that the Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin raised the issue with the Taoiseach last month, Minister Bruton appeared taken aback in the Dáil this evening when Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Enterprise Willie O’Dea asked him if he had made any contact with Twitter executives to help secure this multi-million euro investment.
“I’ll have to admit that I haven’t met with Twitter myself but I will on foot of the Deputy’s enquiry” – Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton, Dáil, May 05 2011.
Deputy O’Dea commented, “This government claims that their top priority is job creation and yet it hasn’t even occurred to the Minister for Jobs to meet with the executives of a major multinational firm currently deciding on a location for its new headquarters. This is extremely worrying and adds to concerns that Fine Gael and Labour are more concerned by catchy headlines and photo-ops than taking real action which results in valuable jobs for this country.
“It would be another major coup for Ireland if Twitter decided to join Facebook and Google by locating a new base in Dublin. Not only would it result in hundreds of high-quality jobs, it would also strengthen our position as a global innovation hub. The British Prime Minister David Cameron has already met with Twitter executives to convince them to chose Britain instead of Ireland, but so far it seems that this government hasn’t even thought of trying to win the contract.
“Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin questioned the Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Dáil last month if he had made any moves to secure investment from Twitter. The Taoiseach’s response very unsatisfactory. Instead of being proactive, he simply said that he would meet with Twitter if the opportunity presented itself. A number of weeks have passed and it now seems the Taoiseach hasn’t even thought to discuss the issue with his Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton.”
