Mattie McGrath spoke in the Dáil on 21 Sep 2022 about the Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill 2022, addressing foreign direct investment, data centres and the need for stronger checks. He praised the historic role of FDI for jobs while urging improved legislation, oversight and transparency on government engagement abroad.
Remarks on foreign direct investment
Mr McGrath acknowledged the significant role foreign direct investment has played in the country, citing long-standing companies and employment created by firms such as MSD. He said many FDI companies have good records, but cautioned they are not all impeccable and require a close eye.
Concerns about data centres and public perception
He noted growing public concern about data centres and electricity outages, saying perceptions have become "very sad" when blame is directed at data centres despite their legal entry through existing mechanisms. He argued that data centres should not be demonised because the country wants more investment and companies to stay.
Legislation and oversight of transactions and travel
Speaking on the Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill, he supported checks and balances in legislation and highlighted weak spots across areas of law. He also raised concerns about government members attending international events - including World Economic Forum meetings - and urged clearer records and scrutiny of travel and external engagements.
Tribute to a former employee
Mr McGrath paid tribute to a recently deceased former employee, the late George Kelly of Capa White and Cilsheelan, noting his long service, retirement and contribution to his local community and tidy towns efforts.
Overall position and tone
He balanced recognition of FDI's benefits with calls for stronger legislative safeguards, greater transparency on official travel and more oversight to ensure the country is not treated as a dumping ground for finance or other activities.
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Good morning, good. I too are okay to work, she is one of my co-goders going on down to the start. Minister, I'm delighted to see you back in Hamnes. I keep it on this time, you know, for whatever you do, don't have anyone trying to tip it off, take it off you. You're a very capable and engaging minister back even in the previous time I did, during 07 to 11 and in between. And I wish you well and the portfolio. Regarding this piece of legislation, the transactions bill, screening of third country transactions bill, 2022, second stage, the pattern of enterprise employment. Yes, I mean, foreign direct investment is a huge, has played a huge part of our country. I can go back to Merkshire, but don't as nearly, longevity is nearly there as long as myself. I remember there's a book when they came. A fabulous company that they're 50 years or more. And wonderful employment, wonderful company. And the huge numbers that are in foreign direct investment, the huge employment, and the many, many plants. And I was going to mention, but I'll leave it to him, but I'll leave it to him to Haley Waysen. They come in, the labour plant, which is what I know in the construction in Kerry, and many, many others, who have done such gallant work. And it's interesting to see, I suppose, some people are getting ready for government. It's great to see that we don't have a clamour any more to get rid of the corporation tax from the parties of the left, on my right, but the parties of the left. And indeed, we had other, we still have other parties, on a daily basis, with outdated ideas, that these are an atom, and we shouldn't be having them, and there should be a screen, a huge amount of taxation taken in. Now, I'm not going to get involved in anything like that, but we have to obviously have checks and balances as well. And we have to indeed look after our, the perception now, with the data centres, is a very sad one, because, you know, when people are facing outages in electricity, and the blame being approached by the data centres. But they came in legally, through our mechanisms that we have here, probably enticed in, and Europe are very happy to have them here. For a number of reasons, but we shouldn't be demonising them either, because we want more of them to come, and we want more of them to be able to stay here. But, as I said, we have legislation, very weak spots of legislation, in many areas. But certainly, many of the direct FDI companies I know of have good records, and that wouldn't say that they are all impeccable. And we need to be having a close eye on them, and to make sure that we are not just a dumping ground for, you know, for finance and everything else. But, as I mentioned in America there, MSD, I would like to mention many of the employees that I know have passed and present. And one very dedicated employee, who passed away recently, a former employee, retired, was the late George Kelly of Capa White, Cundi Limni, and then Cilsheelan in Tipperdorn. And George was a very active and engaging, well-respected member of the workforce in America's Shepherd Dome, in Ballydain, in Tlan Mill, for years. And he enjoyed his retirement and played a huge contribution in the community he lived in as well, and in Cilsheelan, Tidy Towns etc. But I would also hasten to continue that, while we are passing this legislation here, we have members of your government, SENA members, and indeed Tisheek, going off out to World Economic Forums, going off out to Bindebuk Conference, some members of the Cabinet, and regularly. And what's going on there, we have no legislation for, and the people are getting quite worried as to what and who we are serving here, and what masses we are serving here. And I said this this morning as well, even though the Cahillac thought I was doing a bit of theatrics, but it's fact, people see this. We are meant to look after our citizens of this country, and not to be cow-towing and doing what, wealthy, wealthy, multi-billion pound of dollar people, with huge resources, want the world to do, and want us to be all good boys and sign up to. So, we need to look into legislation here, and we need to have a record of the travel and engagement. I question to Tisheek, before what went on there, he wouldn't even, he didn't tell me, but he said sovereignty wasn't discussed anyway. I wouldn't, or neutrality. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Ogustech. Secretary McIlwain-M duaswalt. Thank you and my word. The Secretary.
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