Interviews
Interview with Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Ireland
“Within the island, we have a very advanced digital culture, but we’re ambitious, and we want to be the most digital advanced economy in the EU.”
14 February, 2023
Interview with Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, Ireland
“My top priority is road and transport decarbonization. It's a switch to renewables and the promotion of extensive retrofitting programs for commercial buildings and our homes.”
13 February, 2023
Interview with Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland
“We love to extend a warm welcome. What we love about US travelers is they come and want to spend quality time with us in Ireland. They know how to enjoy, explore and experience our culture.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland
“Ireland’s exports to the US grew by 14% last year and we expect to see further growth, as Irish companies have a lot to offer the US market.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland
“We’re in a situation now where, in the summer of 2023, we will see capacity at around 102% of 2019 capacity.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Dr. Pat Daly, CEO of Limerick City and County Council, Ireland
“We like to see ourselves as an entrepreneurial local authority, operating in the same space as the investors.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec
“IBEC is a reflection of the Irish business model itself. Our growth over the last decade has been correlated quite heavily with what's been going on with our members, and IBEC has more than doubled in scale and turnover.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Joan Martin, CEO of Louth County Council, Ireland
“Our priority is to make sure that Ireland is the first choice for those considering investing or expanding overseas.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Jim O’Toole, CEO of Bord Bia, Ireland
“The strategy that we have outlined is focused on enabling the growth of the food and drink sector in Ireland by increasing the value of its export activity and to demonstrate that this growth is achieved in a sustainable manner.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Conor Mulvihill, Director, Dairy Industry Ireland (DII)
“The dairy industry in Ireland's worth €16 billion. There is a huge tourism industry worth €9 billion, so the dairy industry is double the size.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Conor Galvin, Chief Executive of Dairygold, Ireland
“We have a capital program into the future that will continue to keep our facilities state of the art, so we can take milk from our milk suppliers and create ingredients of value that we can sell overseas.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Stefan Hansen, Managing Partner, Private Pier Industries, Ireland
“Our US exports are ramping up, particularly in states like Texas, and this year we will launch our Independence Irish whiskey brand in the US on the 4th of July.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with William Lavelle, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA)
“The Irish whiskey industry represents 49 companies across the island. We represent all the major players and our members between them account for 99% of Irish whiskey’s global sales.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with John Jordan, CEO of Ornua, Ireland
“Unlike Ireland, there are very few countries in the world, where the cow’s diet primarily consists of grass. In most countries, cows eat grain. In Ireland, we have a fantastic climate for growing grass.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with David Duffy, Director of Property Industry Ireland (PII)
"Across every sector there are ambitious targets. (But) we're seeing a lot of innovation by companies looking at how they can reduce carbon or move to more circular."
19 January, 2023
Interview with Frits Potgieter, General Manager of Montenotte Hotel, Ireland
“Guests are searching for experiences that deeply engage with their sense of discovery and wonder, and it is important that we deliver a resort journey that fulfils this need.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Patricia Callan, Director of Financial Services Ireland
“We have a very highly educated workforce, with about 111,000 people now employed in the sector, around 56,000 of whom are in international-facing roles.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Shane Ryan, General Manager of Takeda Ireland
“Our industry is still learning and understanding the real power of data, digital and technology and what value it can bring to our stakeholders as we roll forward. It is a tremendously exciting time.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Una Fitzpatrick, Director of Technology Ireland
“It just goes to show, and when we're speaking to government as well, when we talk about the technology sector, we're not just talking about the tech sector, we’re talking about the entire ecosystem.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir Ireland
“eir is interesting in this regard, as a legacy business with a history of more than 100 years; we have transformed radically in recent years. We employ innovation to ensure we are leveraging the best technology to improve our business and the servic
19 January, 2023
Interview with Frank O’Connor, Chief Executive of the National Treasury Management Agency, Ireland
“Ireland has come through the global financial crisis and COVID showing resilience, determination of its policy makers and society, and this has been recognized by international investors.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Kevin Elliott, Global Head of FDI, Bank of Ireland
“We believe that the US, and US companies have also benefited in a very significant way. It's critical that we maintain that competitiveness and spirit of cooperation and collaboration between the two countries.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Paul Healy, CEO of Skillnet Ireland
“We enjoy great levels of buy-in from companies for our programs, and government too has supported us through increases in our funding, particularly over the last four or five years.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Shona McManus, CEO and Owner of Osborne, Ireland
“In terms of our recent milestones, I’m proud to say that Osborne emerged out of Covid as one of Ireland’s largest Irish-owned self-funded recruitment consultancies.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Linda Doyle, Provost & President of Trinity College Dublin
“We have a great culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Trinity. We have spun out over 30 companies in the last five years, raising over €200 million in funding and creating over 400 jobs.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with John O’Halloran, President of University College Cork (UCC)
“We have over 24,000 students who come into this institution every year who are the driving force behind the whole institutional approach to embed sustainability across teaching, research, and operations.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway, Ireland
“We have many initiatives coming out of Galway that impact nationally and internationally because of our immersion in language and culture. It also makes us locationally different than anywhere else.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Maggie Cusack, President, Munster Technological University, Ireland
“All our courses are very relevant to industries, and we stay ahead to make sure that we’re providing what companies in the regions need.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Bobby Healy, Founder and CEO of Manna Drone Delivery, Ireland
“The aircraft itself produces no CO2 when it flies because it's an electric-powered aircraft.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Emma Kennedy, Founder and CEO of Grafter, Ireland
“Many of our spaces were formerly houses, so it's a home away from home. We’re selective of the landlords we work with, wanting those who recognize the value of turning those buildings around and bringing them back to the market.”
19 January, 2023
Interview with Derya Sousa, CEO of Kianda Technologies, Ireland
“The Irish work culture is easy to adopt, making it an easy choice for many international people to come work here and accept this as their home.”
18 January, 2023
Interview with Conor Lyden, Founder and CEO, Trustap, Ireland
“Primarily, Trustap is used for buying something on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook marketplace, or for a business that’s getting something manufactured in another country and doesn't have a relationship with the supplier.”
18 January, 2023
Interview with Ronan Murray, M&A Strategy and Transactions Partner, EY Ireland, President of Cork Chamber of Commerce
“We need to build on recent success by harnessing the right ingredients that will continue to encourage companies to strategically invest and grow.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Brian O’Callaghan, Managing Director of O’Callaghan Properties, Ireland
“Sustainability is now embedded into the design process from the outset as opposed to being an afterthought.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Owen O’Sullivan, Managing Partner of William Fry, Ireland
“Our corporation tax take has been very strong, and that has enabled the government to insulate a lot of the businesses here from some of the worst effects of inflation, the war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Alan Connell, Managing Partner of Eversheds Sutherland LLP, Ireland
“The attraction of Ireland as a hub for investment, particularly post-Brexit, has seen an increased number of internationally focused organizations looking to establish operations in and from Ireland.
17 January, 2023
Interview with Sean Hawkshaw, CEO of KBI Global Investors, Ireland
“We manage two very differentiated equity strategies, both of which are designed to deliver outperformance for our clients by capturing long-term investment themes.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Mary Buckley, Executive Director of IDA Ireland
“We have a well-established research, development and innovation eco-system in Ireland that supports companies with facilities, expertise, financial supports and a talented workforce.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Jonathan Kelly, Managing Partner of Philip Lee, Ireland
“We have the largest media law practice in the country, with a particular specialization in film and television financing and production. There is a lot of opportunity in that area.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Lorna Conn, CEO of CPL Group, Ireland
“If you’re looking to invest in Ireland, come to CPL, we can be your partner to help you scale, attract, and retain some of the very best talent that’s available in the country today.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Conor O’Byrne, CEO, RelateCare, Ireland
“We're working very hard to provide the best working environment for employees, people that have trusted us to foster a positive employment model that allows them to grow.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with John O’Brien, CEO and Executive Chairman of S3 Connected Health, Ireland
“We grew the company by 30% last year and it's going to grow by at least another 30% this year. We have also tripled our customer base over the past two and a half years.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Dan Wygal, Country President of AstraZeneca, Ireland
“We have built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyze change in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience and outcomes.”
15 January, 2023
Interview with Brian Keaveny, Plant Director of Clarochem Ireland
“We look to create a niche for ourselves, and manufacture products primarily based on customer requirements. Our markets are generally in Europe and the US, but we deliver to all major markets across the globe. “
15 January, 2023
Interview with Matt Moran, Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland
“We kept the lights on; we kept the entire industry operational right the way through the pandemic. No plant closed, they all stayed operational to supply the needed medicines.”
15 January, 2023
Interview with Paul Downing, General Manager of Hovione, Ireland
“Companies in Ireland go beyond compliance, which gives them a competitive advantage.”
15 January, 2023
Interview with Tom Clarke, Senior Director of West Pharmaceuticals, Ireland
"But probably the dominant factor, and what has driven the track record of success in Ireland over these last 100 years, has been talent.”
15 January, 2023
Interview with Conor Russell, Vice President of Operations, Boston Scientific, Ireland
“We're transforming the lives of 33 million patients every year with the products that we design and manufacture.”
15 January, 2023
Interview with Patrick Buckley, Managing Director of EPS Group, Ireland
“The challenge before us is to keep innovating and keep leading where we can; this is what keeps us lean, keen, focused and not getting complacent. Every day is a startup day for us at EPS.”
13 January, 2023
Interview with Brian Fahey, CEO of MyComplianceOffice, Ireland
“In the US there is a very confident sort of group that comes forward, and I always found that they were more pure technologists and people with a mix of skills.”
10 January, 2023
Interview with Peter Oakes, Founder of Fintech Ireland
“If you are an American firm and you want to conquer the continent of Europe, you have to be in Europe, therefore Ireland as your home base, provides an excellent base to access the rest of Europe.”
10 January, 2023
Interview with Ronan Clarke, Founder and Managing Director of Smarter Surfaces, Ireland
“Our customers are businesses and educators that value modern communication methods and see the value in any tool that can help productivity.”
09 January, 2023
Interview with Stella Clarke, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer of Fenergo, Ireland
“We're now able to assist banks with understanding their customers throughout their lifecycle in real time. This allows them to monitor how clients behave on a daily basis, and that it is in line with their business intent and risk profile.”
09 January, 2023
Interview with Deborah Threadgold, General Manager of IBM Ireland
“IBM is probably almost as famous for its ability to transform as it is for its technology.”
09 January, 2023
Interview with Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber of Commerce, Ireland
“Just providing that element of state support for those businesses as well as a strong focus on infrastructure development in Cork, we are now seeing a lot of investment in public transport,..."
06 January, 2023
Interview with Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive, Screen Ireland
“We're very focused on looking for new emerging talent using the Irish language, being able to tell their stories on the big screen, and then being able to see the impact of them globally is really fantastic.”
09 December, 2022
Interview with Eoin Hinchy, Co-Founder and CEO, Tines
“It's a thrilling experience to make a bet, hope for the best, but then to actually see the product add value to customers, big and small. That's a feeling that never gets old.”
09 December, 2022
Interview with Aidan Finn, CEO of Binarii Labs, Ireland
“Our focus in the US and Ireland is on opportunities for FDI into Ireland. It's refreshing to see the reciprocal relationship is understood.”
09 December, 2022
Interview with Eamonn Crowley, CEO and Permanent of TSB Group Holdings, Ireland
“As an industry, we've been investing significantly in both our IT capability, our digital capability, and, indeed, connections with fintech.”
06 December, 2022
Interview with Brian Hayes, CEO of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI)
“I think it’s important that disruptive technologies are taken seriously.”
06 December, 2022
Interview with Joanna Murphy, CEO, Director and Co-founder, IDLF and Reside in Ireland
“The rationale behind the service was that, in the same way that Ireland is very attractive for foreign direct investment, it’s also very attractive to individuals. Ireland is the European hub for over 1,000 leading multinational companies.”
05 December, 2022
Interview with Enda Kelleher, Vice-President of Sales for North America at Sprintax, Ireland
“On the US side, the reputation of the Irish is generally positive. We're very helpful to each other.”
04 December, 2022
Interview with Lorna Martyn, Ireland Regional Chair and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Investments
“One thing that's playing in our favor is being the only English-speaking country in the European Union, thus making Ireland a destination for that talent. It's not just those who are born in Ireland; the reach extends across the European Union and
02 December, 2022
Interview with Alan Lawlor, Divisional Managing Director of Kingspan Group, Ireland
“The US is a core and growing market for Kingspan Group, and last year we had $1.3 billion worth of sales over there.”
01 December, 2022
