Visit by Taoiseach to San Francisco and Silicon Valley

The Taoiseach, Prime Minister of Ireland, Enda Kenny travelled to California in June for a jobs-focussed mission in Silicon Valley.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny travelled to the California in June for a three-day programme to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Arriving in San Francisco just over 10 hours after departing Dublin on Aer Lingus’s new direct service, his visit focused on securing investment and jobs for Ireland and supporting exporting Irish firms and entrepreneurs.

During the visit, the Taoiseach visited the headquarters of a number of the most significant multi-national companies located in Ireland and supported by IDA Ireland, who between them employ nearly 16,000 people in Ireland as well as meeting potential new investors.

The Taoiseach also met the Governor of California Jerry Brown where the key focus was on strengthening the strong economic, trade, investment and tourism links between Ireland and California.

As part of his programme, the Taoiseach opened the Enterprise Ireland ‘Access Silicon Valley’ event which aims to assist Irish companies in breaking into the US market and partnering with US firms. He also met exporting Irish companies who have secured significant contracts with US partners located in California.

A highlight of the visit was the warm welcome the Taoiseach received from over 700 members of the Bay Area Irish community at the United Irish Cultural Centre in San Francisco.

A copy of the Taoiseach’s speech to the Irish community

This was the Taoiseach’s second visit to California in 18 months.