'A vote of confidence in the city': TDs hail 200 new Cork tech jobs

US telecoms multinational Motorola Solutions is to open a research and development centre in Cork city centre, creating some 200 highly skilled jobs.

The company said its new Cork team will be focused on designing software for the corporation’s land mobile radio portfolio, with plans for expansion across other technologies.

The company said the new centre would complement Motorola’s existing work in Ireland, which is focused on delivering the emergency services’ secure communications network, Ireland’s National Digital Radio Service.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it was “excellent news” for Cork city: “The more research and development design jobs we can attract into the city, the better, in terms of sustainability of our economy into the future, and I think it reflects the strengths of our two universities.

“Our education framework within Cork is proving to be very attractive, with both the universities and also Tyndall,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s a vote of confidence in Cork.”

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle, also welcomed the news: “The development of a new research and development centre for technology can only be good for the city and the region.”

ENDORSEMENT

Simon Coveney, Fine Gael TD and the former enterprise minister, said it was an endorsement of Cork as a place that remained highly attractive for tech-based jobs and research.

“It’s a sign that the quality of graduates that you can find in Cork from our universities here is stronger than ever, and some of the biggest companies on the planet want to continue to invest and build out their footprint in Ireland and in Cork, and that’s for a lot reasons, but mainly because of the people that they can get here, and of course the business-friendly environment that the Government guarantees,” Mr Coveney said.

Colm Burke, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, welcomed the announcement: “Cork is a very attractive area for research companies to locate as we have both UCC [University College Cork] and MTU [Munster Technological University] producing highly qualified candidates who have the required skills for this type of employment.”

Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, said it was “good news and welcome news” for the city, “especially when we’re after losing two companies in Blackpool recently with Dulux and Blizzard, we need investment in jobs in Cork, and we also need targeted supports for the northside to get more jobs up here”.

Mick Barry, People Before Profit-Solidarity TD for Cork North Central, also noted the recent job losses at employers such as VMWare and Blizzard: “It’s important that replacement jobs have wages and conditions that are at least the equivalent of the ones that have been lost, so I’ll take an interest in how that plays out.”

Pádraig O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, said: “It’s great to see more businesses locating in Cork, and that’s due to the highly educated and professional workforce and due as well to ongoing Government investment in Cork.”

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central, said the news reflected that Cork had a crucial role to play: “I think a great deal more can be done in attracting people across a wide range of industries, but a number of steps need to be taken in terms of infrastructure, accommodation, and a variety of other investments, but this is positive news for Cork, and hopefully it can be built upon.”