Rated as the second most attractive country globally for FDI*, Ireland has firmly established itself as an important base for international business operations across a variety of sectors especially financial services, life sciences, information and communications technologies and digital media. Despite global economic difficulties, FDI has continued to grow in Ireland year on year with most recent figures indicating a rise of 15% in the number of FDI projects coming in to Ireland in 2010, leading to the total number of foreign companies having invested in Ireland at approximately 1,500.

The key benefits and incentives attracting this level of FDI
to Ireland include those listed below.

• a low corporation tax rate of 12.5% on trading profits
  
  
• double taxation treaty network with over 50 countries
  
  
• generous tax incentives including a research and development tax credit of 25% and capital allowances
  on intellectual property and certain intangible assets
  
  
• ease of access to the European market as an EU
  and Euro-Zone member country
  
  
• a highly skilled, well educated, English speaking workforce
  
  
• transparent, yet comprehensive, regulatory regimes
  in areas such as financial services

As a multidisciplinary commercial law firm, whose lawyers
are experienced in FDI issues, we are ideally placed to advise clients seeking to establish operations or engage in international service projects in Ireland.

Through hands on personal service our dedicated team of lawyers provide the levels of efficiency, technical know how and commercial pragmatism required by our international and Irish clients. We ensure partner level leadership on every matter and our focus is to provide responsive and cost effective advice and support at all times. Our aim is to advise and guide our clients to enable them achieve their aims in terms of establishment, development and growth in Ireland. Through advising a wide base of FDI clients and participation in various international trade organisations we have experience of the key commercial and legal issues facing international businesses operating in the Irish market. We also have an extensive network of correspondent law firms in over 80 jurisdictions worldwide, which enables us to assist clients exporting to or expanding into other markets.

Our Guide to Investing and Working in Ireland provides a useful introduction and overview for any individual or
company interested in doing business in Ireland. You can download here.

As a multidisciplinary law firm, our team has the requisite skills and experience to advise on the key legal issues arising from the establishment and ongoing operation of a business in the Irish market. This includes the areas listed below.

• advice on establishing appropriate corporate or
  other structures
  
  
• company secretarial compliance services
  
  
• advising company officers on their duties and obligations
  
  
• regulatory advice, including liaison with Irish
  regulatory bodies and financial institutions
  
  
• advising on Irish government incentives for
  overseas investors
  
  
• provision of contracts of employment and
  comprehensive employment law advice
  
  
• pensions law and employee benefits advice
  (including employee participation in group
  share incentive schemes)
  
  
• advising on Irish and EU competition law and
  various regulated industry and service sectors
  
  
• intellectual property advice, including trade mark
  and design prosecution services
  
  
• information technology law
  
  
• commercial contracts
  
  
• consumer laws
  
  
• advising on property issues

* National Irish Bank / fDi Intelligence
Inward Investment Performance Monitor 2010