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Irish Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
AI company Gong announces major expansion of its EMEA headquarters in Dublin
LEADING AI company Gong has announced a major expansion of its Irish operations with plans to increase its Dublin workforce from 125 to more than 200 people. The firm uses an AI platform to help companies better understand customers and business trends, with the aim of improving productivity, increasing predictability and growing revenue. The Irish capital has been home to Gong's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters since 2022. As part of its growth plans, the company has relocated to a new EMEA headquarters at WeWork One Central Plaza — the iconic former Central Bank building in the heart of Dublin. "Our growth in Europe reflects a global shift — companies are embracing AI not just to keep pace, but to lead in highly competitive markets," said Amit Bendov, co-founder and CEO. "Dublin plays a critical role in our global strategy. "This expansion reinforces our long-term commitment to the region and our mission to empower revenue teams across EMEA with cutting-edge AI." Attraction of Ireland Gong now has more than 750 EMEA customers across key EMEA markets including Ireland, Britain, Germany, France, Nordics, Benelux and Spain. The firms says EMEA customer use of its AI features is up 80 per cent on last year, helping it surpass $300m in annual recurring revenue earlier this year. It credits its expansion with an increased demand for Gong's AI-powered revenue platform, particularly its agentic capabilities. As a result, the high global demand for revenue AI solutions will see Gong add 75 new roles in Dublin over the next 18 months across R&D, sales and other departments. Welcoming the expansion, Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said: "Ireland continues to be an attractive location for innovative companies to invest and serve their customer base from, offering a dynamic talent pool, a pro-business environment and seamless access to the European market."
RTÉ News
03-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
EU will retaliate on tariffs 'if no agreement reached'
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU is ready for a trade deal with the United States, but warned that Brussels was ready to retaliate with a list of countermeasures if "no satisfactory agreement is reached." Speaking in the Danish city of Aarhus, at the launch of the Danish presidency of the EU, Ms Von der Leyen said: "As you know, the negotiations with the United States are ongoing. "As we speak, [EU trade] Commissioner Sefcovic is in Washington today. I just want to say we are ready for a deal. "We want a negotiated solution, but you will know that at the same time, we're preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached. "This is why we consulted on a rebalancing list, and we will defend the European interest as needed. In other words, all the instruments are on the table," she added. Ms von der Leyen's comments come after Tánaiste Simon Harris said yesterday that US tariffs of 10% on exports from Ireland will be the "new normal" but that efforts are continuing to agree zero for zero taxes in some key areas. "The US believes in tariffs. Clearly 10% seems to be the baseline in any agreements they have reached so far," he said. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke also said that he is "hopeful rather than confident" that a deal on tariffs can be reached between the US and European Union by 9 July.
Agriland
29-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Enterprise minister to lead trade mission to Japan
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke is leading a trade and investment mission to Japan, this week (June 2025). The minister will be accompanied by Enterprise Ireland CEO designate, Jenny Melia and IDA Ireland CEO, Michael Lohan. Two-way trade between Japan and Ireland now exceeds €21 billion, and Japan is the number one source of foreign direct investment into Ireland from the Asia Pacific region. Minister Burke said: 'Trade promotion and market diversification are key government priorities, and I see significant opportunities in Japan for both Irish companies and FDI. 'This week, we are engaging with dozens of major corporations to highlight Ireland's global position as a stable location for investment, as well as helping Irish companies to build, scale and expand in this region.' 'Looking ahead, the relationship between our two countries is based on shared values and mutual respect and as minister, I believe our work in this regard will facilitate this relationship growing deeper and stronger in the years ahead,' the minister added. Japan According to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Japan is a growing export market, with over 300 Enterprise Ireland clients doing business in Japan, and over 50 Irish companies having representations or presence in Japan. Minister Burke will also meet IDA's potential and existing clients to set out the unique advantages of locating in Ireland to service a European marketplace of 450 million people. He will meet with a number of Enterprise Ireland client companies seeking new opportunities for their world-class products and services and will hold a number of political engagements with his counterparts in the Japanese government. Minister Burke will also visit the new Ireland House Tokyo, which is home to offices for the Embassy, Team Ireland, including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and IDA. During the second half of the week, the Minister will attend the Osaka Expo 2025. The department believes that participation at Expo provides an excellent platform for direct public diplomacy and an opportunity to increase visibility of Ireland in the region.
The Journal
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
PSO levy reduction expected but it won't make much of a dent in energy bills for households
A REDUCTION IN the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy that appears on electricity bills of households and small businesses is to be announced this week. The PSO levy is charged to all electricity customers in Ireland in a bid to support the generation of electricity from sustainable, renewable and indigenous sources. The annual charge is currently €42.25. It is expected that the a reduction in the PSO levy for both households and small commercial businesses will result in savings of around €23 per year for households and €90 per year for small businesses. Government sources state that this is just one small item in a suite of measures being examined to bring the the cost of bills down for consumers. 'This Government is committed to tackling high energy costs through a wide range of measures while continuing to accelerate the decarbonisation of Ireland's energy system,' they said. The measure comes as it emerged yesterday that electricity bills will actually increase by at least €83 a year to pay for a major upgrade of the country's power system. ESB Networks has asked the energy regulator to approve a price increase that would enable it to fund investment of over €10 billion in next five years, investment that a conference heard yesterday is badly needed in order to meet the growing demands on the power grid. The government has come under increasing pressure to assist homes and businesses with electricity and gas costs, with Irish people paying some of the most expensive bills in Europe. A new group, tasked with driving down the cost for businesses, met yesterday for the first time. The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke established the new group with the aim of reducing the cost of running a business. Advertisement The forum brings together business owners, retailers, tourism operators, accounting professionals and representative groups—alongside regulators and state agencies—to look at the structural issues that are driving up costs and the steps that could be taken to mitigate them. However, for every day households, little assistance is on the horizon this year, with government stating that there will be no across-the-board energy credits this year. Irish customers do pay more, says minister Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien told The Journal this week that Irish customers, in comparison to our EU colleagues, do pay more when it comes to energy. 'We're probably the third most expensive when you average it out,' he said. The minister said he had set up an affordability task force within his department that he will be chair next week. The group is looking at options on how to drive affordability, said O'Brien, but added that how electricity prices are struck is the main issue impacting Irish householders. The cost of electricity for Irish customers is still linked at European level to the wholesale gas price, said the minister. O'Brien said he has raised the matter with the European Commission on how to break that link, but said it is a 'medium term' body of work that is needed before any changes will be seen. 'More EU states like Ireland are now producing more renewable energy, yet the energy cost itself is still linked to the wholesale gas prices. So that's something that at an EU level, I can't change that independently for Ireland, that's something that we will be having discussions on at an EU level,' said the minister. The minister said the matter will be raised again at the Energy Council in Luxembourg next week. 'There are other EU partners who would be in agreement with us that we need to reflect in our pricing the fact that we've more renewables year-on-year coming on stream, that we're becoming less dependent on gas and on fossils. So why should the base price be stuck on the basis of the wholesale gas price. I think that's a bigger discussion that we need to have,' the minister said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Government announces dedicated unit to support Ireland's 'vital' small businesses
THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has announced the establishment of a new unit to support Ireland's small businesses, which provide 'vital employment and economic benefit across the country'. The Small Business Unit will ensure the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and across government. As well as helping small businesses access grants and support, the unit's remit will also include implementing Ireland's SME Test. Announced last year, the test seeks to ensure small businesses are given due consideration when new policies are introduced so that they are not disproportionately impacted by regulations. 'Economic benefit' Announcing the establishment of the dedicated unit, Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, emphasised the importance of SMEs to the Irish economy. "Small businesses employ two thirds of our population and keep our local communities and economies vibrant and strong," he said. "Government must recognise this, and ensure we are providing the support that SMEs need to run their businesses successfully and continue to provide vital employment and economic benefit across the country." He added: "Since my appointment as Minister I have put small businesses front and centre of my priorities. "The Programme for Government sets out clearly how the needs of small businesses must have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across government. "The Small Business Unit will focus on rigorously implementing the SME Test, to ensure the perspectives of small businesses are considered across government before new legislation or regulation is introduced. "The unit will oversee the simplification of information and access to grants and supports for businesses though the National Enterprise Hub. "It will also ensure the Local Enterprise Offices are properly resourced to help small businesses." SME turnover SMEs accounted for 99.8 per cent of all enterprises and 69.2 per cent of persons employed, according to the most recent CSO statistics on these businesses in Ireland. More than two-fifths (41.5 per cent) of total turnover and 34.8 per cent of Gross Value Added (GVA) was attributed to these SMEs. The establishment of the Small Business Unit comes after the government agreed last month to expedite the development of the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity. The plan is intended to cover areas critical to Ireland's economic performance, including industrial policy, regulatory burden reduction, infrastructure, energy, trade and innovation. See More: Peter Burke, SME
