A new initiative seeking to bring jobs to Ireland has asked that people join Michael Flatley, Martin Sheen and Saoirse Ronan in answering Ireland’s call to use their connections this St. Patrick’s Day.

The Irish job ambassadors appear in an inspirational video on ConnectIreland.com calling on some 70 million people worldwide who claim Irish ancestry to use their connections to help create new jobs in Ireland.
 
Irish-American Lord of Dance Michael Flatley, whose parents emigrated from Ireland in 1947 to Chicago, has lent his support to ConnectIreland to deliver a new Irish Government programme called Succeed in Ireland to help promote Ireland as a destination for international business.
 
Michael Flatley tells viewers “We need to get Ireland back to work. We need to create new jobs, lots of jobs and every single one of us has a part to play to make that happen.”
 
ConnectIreland is looking for connections to small to medium sized companies that are expanding internationally. Using these connections, ConnectIreland wants to speak with decision makers to explain why companies should establish Ireland. The initiative will provide a reward to people around the world who provide introductions to ConnectIreland which result in internationally expanding companies investing and creating sustainable jobs in Ireland.
 
A connector who successfully introduces a company to Ireland that creates new jobs will be paid a minimum of €1,500 per job, up to a maximum of 100 jobs, payable over two years.
 
Ireland is a proven business destination and is already home to a large number of multinational companies such as Google, Intel, Abbott, Pfizer and Microsoft who have significant operations here.
 
The ConnectIreland initiative is being launched at a time when confidence in Ireland is building as a result of former US President Bill Clinton’s address at The Invest in Ireland Forum in February 2012 in New York City where he told delegates, “It is nuts not to take advantage of this unique moment of opportunity with the best environment for investment and the best workforce in the world, now is the time to invest in Ireland”. 
 
A recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit provides further evidence that Ireland is a prime location for Foreign Direct Investment listing EU market access, competitive corporate tax, talented workforce and a stable regulatory framework that supports business as key benefits of Ireland.
 
To learn more about how you can use your connections see www.connectireland.com or follow on twitter: @ConnectIreland