For many years, Canadian companies have been investing, and doing business in Ireland. Ireland receives approx 3% of Canadian foreign direct investment worldwide.

Ireland is an attractive location for Canadian companies primarily for 3 reasons:

• Tax
• Talent
• Gateway to Europe

Tax

Ireland has a business-friendly, common law, corporate tax system, which is in line with OECD norms.  Its low corporate tax rate of 12.5% on trading profits provides the basis for companies to structure trading and holding company operations in Ireland, which, with appropriate planning, can provide an effective tax solution for many Canadian multi-nationals.

Ireland also has a very beneficial Intellectual Property (“IP”) regime, which facilitates the application of the 12.5% corporate tax rate to profits from the exploitation of IP in Ireland.  Furthermore, to help develop and sustain the Irish knowledge based economy, and to encourage companies which develop, own and exploit their IP from an Irish base, capital allowances are available for capital expenditure incurred on the creation and acquisition of “specified intangible assets”, including the acquisition of IP. 

Ireland is a favourable platform for investment into China due to a combination of the Ireland / China Double Tax Treaty and the Irish holding company regime. 

Talent

Ireland boasts a young, hi-tech, skilled and English-speaking workforce. Ireland also remains a vibrant and attractive place for younger workers within the EU, ensuring the pool of talent for investing companies is deep.   Ireland is positioning itself as a “Smart economy” and given the problem-solving skills and creative and innovative thinking of its workforce, this will be achieved.  The Canadian companies already operating in Ireland have ensured that large clusters of innovation excellence in ICT, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, New Media, and other sectors, are already in existence. 

Gateway to Europe

One of Ireland's key strengths and biggest opportunities is Europe.   Global corporations based in Ireland can effectively reach Europe's 600 million consumers with excellent goods and services developed and built in Ireland by Irish workers. 

Our Canadian based clients cover the spectrum of industries from pharmaceuticals, technology, financial services, healthcare, and includes advising:

Royal Bank of Canada

Canada Life

"William Fry was instrumental in guiding us through all aspects of the complex transaction and due diligence.  The expertise includes Irish law, government contracting, tax, property, bank restructurings, real estate/leasing as well as general advice on the Irish business culture...Overall, the service provided by William Fry was excellent.  At all times, they approached matters with professionalism and with UPMC's best interest...Our business objective was successfully completed. It would have bene impossible without the counsel of William Fry.  It was well worth the investment spend".
David Farner, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, UPMC