In association with GconnTec, 451 Research a global analyst and research company, have spent the past 3 months in Ireland. They fused their proprietary datasets with the knowledge from 58 local subject-matter analysts and scorecarded Ireland on the 9 critical factors companies use when selecting a geographic location for hosting digital assets.

1. A Special Report
Ireland
A Highly Attractive Location
for Hosting Digital Assets

2. About 451 Research
A division of The 451 Group, 451 Research is a
leading global analyst and data company.
Commissioned and Supported by

3. About this Report
Over the past decade, Ireland has emerged as
the favoured location for hosting digital assets.
Exploring attributes such as connectivity
to Europe and America, renewable energy,
tax benefits and a talented workforce,
the report explains why this tiny island is a
powerhouse in the global hosting industry.
Download the full report HERE,
or read on to find out more

4. 451 analyzed and scored Ireland on factors that influence a company’s
decision when choosing a European location for their digital assets.
Economy
Financial Benefits
Green Energy
Law
Connectivity
Hosting & The Cloud
Workforce
Government Support
Success Stories

5. Economy

6. About Ireland
Ireland is an island nation of 4.6 million,
located in western Europe.
English speaking and using the Euro currency, Ireland’s
proximity to Europe makes it a gateway to 500 million
customers. Traditional ties to America, also, lead to the
saying that ‘Ireland is closer to Boston than to Berlin’.

7. Ireland is home to the world’s top companies, including:
9/10 global ICT companies
9/10 global pharmaceutical companies
3/6 top games companies
12/15 top medical device companies
10/10 ‘born on the internet’ companies

8. …And many have lived there a long time
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s

9. Ease of Doing Business
The easiest EU location in which to start a business
The most business-friendly tax regime in Europe
6th best country in the world for business – The World Bank
2nd best in the EU – Forbes
Property and office costs:
2008 €673 per square meter | 2013 €307 per square meter.

10. A Mature Business Environment
EU member
English-speaking
Politically neutral

11. Links Worldwide
Traditional links to US,
‘Closer to Boston than Berlin’
Access to European market
of over 500 million people

12. Connectivity

13. Ireland’s Subsea Cables

14. Connected worldwide…

15. Dublin’s T50 broadband ring (MAN) connects
Dublin’s business districts and parks:
the 44 km cable provides access to 27 international carriers

16. Renewable Energy

17. Free Cooling
High temperature average 20°C (68°F)
Low temperature average 6°C (42.8°F)
Naturally temperate climate

low energy usage

low Power Usage Effectiveness scores

savings of millions

18. Renewable Energy
Ireland is aiming for 40%
renewable energy by 2020
The Irish power grid currently
accepts up to 50% wind energy
Case study:
Vayu (natural gas and electricity)
offer 100% renewable energy and have
a carbon footprint of ZERO

19. Financial Benefits

20. Ireland’s corporate tax strategy is based on:
Rate
Reputation
Regime

21. Rate
Corporate tax rates:
33%
30%
25%
23%
France
Germany
Netherlands
UK
12.5%
Ireland

22. Reputation
1
A commitment to
transparency:
69 double-taxation
treaties signed
2
EU ParentSubsidiaries
Directive and the EU
Interest and Royalties
Directive grant relief
under EU law
3
The Irish Taxes
Consolidation Acts (TCA)
of 1997 grant relief against
double taxation

23. Regime
Tax benefits include:
Write off 100% of
purchase value of energy
efficient equipment
Offset R&D credits
against corporate tax
10 Point Tax Reform Plan
of 2013, including multiple
tax reliefs for startups

24. Hosting & The Cloud

25. Irish Datacenters
Brands with Irish datacenters:

26. Hosting and Co-Location
Service providers hosting in Ireland include:

27. Law

28. Intellectual Property
1
2
Pro-industry rather
than pro-regulation
Access to Commercial
Court for IP disputes
3
4
Protected under Data Protection
(Amendment) Act of 2003
International IP royalties can be collected
through Ireland, a low-tax jurisdiction

29. E-Commerce
1
Commercial websites are
covered by the Electronic
Commerce (EC Directive)
Regulations of 2002.
2
Irish government passed first
ecommerce bill in July 2000,
covering electronic signatures
and domain name registration.

30. Spam
Increased penalties and an indictable
offence since amendment of 2008

31. Workforce

32. An Educated Workforce
48% of Irish 25-34 year olds hold a third level qualification
Open Ireland and Succeed in Ireland
attract skilled workers from abroad
The Springboard Program provides places for
unemployed people in part-time courses.

33. World Rankings
2012 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook:
3
rd
for availability of
skilled labor
1
st
for flexibility and
adaptability of workforce

34. Youth
Median age of population: 35 years (Lowest in Europe)
Social contributions in Ireland represent a 5% of GDP,
compared with an EU-27 average of 12.7%

35. Government Support

36. The Irish Government Loves the Cloud…
Created the Cloud Computing Strategy
Invested €1 million in 2013 into Centre for Applied
Data Analytics Research (CeADAR), working
with eBay, Accenture, Dell and Fidelity Investments

37. …and Big Data
IBM and Dublin City University have created a master’s
degree in next­ eneration management skills
g
IBM’s Smart­city concept, using Dublin as an experimental
testing lab for big data and city planning

38. Various Irish government agencies
support companies in Ireland:
R&D and innovation grants and funding
Helping Irish enterprises
achieve success abroad
Forging connections to
create jobs in Ireland
A center birding the divide
between research and industry

39. Other Support:
A launch pad for early-stage
digital businesses
A program assisting enterprises
with online services

40. Success Stories

41. Success Stories
• Opened its EMEA headquarters in 2003,
initially employing 100 people
• Launched Dublinbased international
operations centre in December 2012
• Dublin operation is now largest outside
of the US, employing 2,500 staff
• First move outside the US,
supported by IDA
• Announced plans in 2013 to open a €75m
datacenter at Profile Park, Clondalkin
• Launched international headquarters
in Dublin in 2010
• Irish HQ is ‘center for international growth’
• Opened December 2012 in Dublin
• Employ ten staff of seven
different nationalities

42. Success Stories
• Credit decision to locate in Ireland to a
competitively priced tech infrastructure,
• World’s number one CRM platform
• high standard data protection laws
and a comprehensive tax regime
• In 2013 announced plans to fill
a further 100 roles
• Opened development center in 2013,
and additional datacenter in 2013
• Over 7,500 customers in Europe, including Just
Giving, GOV.UK, L’Oreal and Glasgow NHS
• Employs 500 people in Sandyford, Dublin

43. Conclusion
Ireland is the favoured location for data hosting:
This small island in Europe punches above
its weight, fulfilling each one of 451’s research
criteria (tax benefits, connectivity, skill
of workforce, access to EU and US,
cost efficiency and economic risk).
With so many advantages, it’s little surprise
that tech giants like Google, Amazon,
Microsoft and Facebook have been
established in Ireland for years.
Like to Read More?
Download the full Digital Ireland 360º here
Visit the website here

44. Report Compiled
& Authored By:
Csilla Zsigri
Director of Consulting
Services EMEA,
451 Advisors, The 451 Group

45. Slide Presentation Produced By:
Illustrations
Direction
Words
Eoin Beglin
eoinbeglin.com
Garry Connolly
Founding Partner
GconnTec
@GconnTec
Roisin Kiberd
@RoisinTheMirror

46. Contributors • Hosting
Bernard Geoghegan
Digital Realty Trust
Colum Traynor
GconnTec
Douglas Lowe
Interxion
Eddie Kilbane
Dataplex
Garry Connelly
GconnTec
Gary Keogh
Digital Realty Trust
Gary Watson
SunGard
Ian Mc Vey
Maurice Mortell
Telecity
Pat Kearney
GconnTec
Patrick Lastennet
Interxion
Rachel Clynes
Interxion

47. Contributors • Hosting
Rob Thomson
Sungard
Robert Bath
Digital Realty Trust
Sarah Mc Cluskey
Telecity
Simon Withers
Sungard
Stuart Edwards
Sungard
Tanya Duncan
MD, Interxion
Willie Norse
GConnTec
Omer Wilson
Digital Realty Trust

48. Contributors • Connectivity
Barry Rhodes
Internet Neutral
Exchange Association
Colm Piercy
Digiweb
Diane Hodnett
Sea Fibre Networks
Martin Reilly
Hibernia Atlantic
Alan Millet
Digiweb
Fergus Innes
Hibernia Networks

49. Contributors • Semi-State
Edel Flynn
Digital Hub
Gearoid Mooney
Enterprise Ireland
David Scanlon
Enterprise Ireland
Michael McLoughlin
CEO Connect Ireland
John Bolton
IDA
Leo Clancy
IDA

50. Contributors • Talent
Adie Mc Gennis
Sigmar Recruitment
Barry Rudden
Sigmar Recruitment
John Breslin
Deri Institute
Tony Mc Enroe
DCU
Contributors • IP / Security
Neil Leyden
IDSC
Fred Louge
New Morning IP
Mathieu Gorge
Vigi Trust

51. Other Contributors
Brian Harrison
American Chamber
of Commerce
Cathal Lee
Open Ireland
Pat O’Carroll
IIBN
Clare Dillon
Microsoft Ireland
Joan Mulvihill
Irish Internet Assoc.

52. Contributors • Energy
Clare Wallace
Eirgrid
Investment Partners
Conor Barry
Chirisa Investments
David Smith
Tirna Partners
John Quinn
Chirisa Investments