BUSINESS
Google finds Dublin to its liking
12-03-2003
by
Search giant Google has confirmed speculation that its first operations centre outside the US would be based in Dublin.
The move, supported by IDA Ireland, is expected to lead to about 200 new jobs over the next three years. Google said that its new centre would be a key link in the company's global business, serving Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition to its service functions, the firm will locate servers and associated networking equipment in Ireland to handle Google's growing search traffic.
The privately owned company has headquarters in California and currently employs around 500 people. Google is both a company and search site that, over the last three years, has become one of the hottest properties on the Web, averaging about 15.5 million unique visitors on a weekly basis in the US alone, equating to an 18 percent audience reach.
Although its numbers are thought to be smaller in Europe, Google is a household name here as well, and the company has recently begun a sales assault in Europe for its paid-for search listings, opening an office in the UK, with more expected on the Continent. Last month the company made global headlines when it acquired blogging pioneer Pyra Labs.
Wednesday's news was warmly welcomed by the government, which lobbied to see that Google establish its European presence in Ireland. It was reported over the last few weeks that Google had narrowed its list of prospective European locations to Ireland and Switzerland.
"It is wonderful news," commented the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, TD. "The announcement is a significant step in the implementation of our strategy to make Ireland a leading player in the digital media industry."
The Tanaiste said that investment in global connectivity technical infrastructure made in recent years by both the state and the private sector had helped Dublin to beat out competing locations for Google's new facility. The Tanaiste spent last weekend in California with senior Google representatives, presumably putting the final touches on the deal.
Another group to welcome the news was ICT Ireland, the IBEC body that represents the high-tech sector. ICT Ireland director Brendan Butler claimed that the news was a sign that Ireland has remained a favourable location for foreign direct investment, despite increasing competition from emerging economies. He said similar decisions from firms like IBM, Intel and Xilinx to expand their Irish facilities also proved this assumption.
Google's decision also comes on the back of Overture's announcement earlier this year to open a sales office, employing 50 in Dublin. Overture is Google's biggest competitor in the area of paid-for search listings.
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