I’ve used twitter for some time now. I think my profile dates back to 2008 at this stage, but it wasn’t until late ’09 through to now that I used it religiously. Even today, my phone bill is focused on data, then texts, then calls. In that order. Data primarily stretches around twitter, with an even blend of Google+ and Facebook coming up behind that. Beyond that, there’s a bunch of things that I use for data. But twitter is, by far, my most used phone service. The fact that iOS5 has twitter built into it’s very core is testament to the notion that I am in no way alone.

Bringing the company here offers a few things to Dublin. Obviously the jobs and kudos of having another international employer from the technology sector here is the big win. I believe the first slew of jobs will be sales and marketing related, and will bring 40 or so new jobs to the Dublin 2 or 4 area. This puts the company firmly in the same district of the city as Google and Facebook – which is most likely a deliberate move.

The IDA were instrumental in the move, saying..

“Twitter is a fantastic addition to Ireland’s dynamic digital media cluster and we are excited to support the company’s continued international growth.”

Fairly wanky comment, but the sentiment behind it is that another company is coming and we’re building ourselves up a proper digital hub here.

There’s no hope I’m writing a blog post to big-up Ireland and the tech industry. So what’s wrong? Before you jump the gun, it’s not the fact that the company are clearly coming here to reap rewards from our 12.5% corporation tax (as opposed to the UK’s 28%). I think our tax system should remain low, because Google employing 2000 people and paying piss all for it is still good for the economy. 2000 people pay 21% tax on everything, rather than take €180 every week from the dole.

The problem isn’t Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or any other big online companies based in Dublin. The problem is that the revenue generated here from those companies isn’t being used to help fund indigenous start-ups. Wouldn’t it be nice to have our own company like twitter opening an office in San Francisco? Instead of Dublin being the EU HQ for companies, why not be the birthplace and international HQ for tech companies?

I think the willingness is there, especially from the IDA and various ministers in government. I just think there’s that ever-persistent fear of failure, both from them and the people who would possibly begin with a startup. Failure is too high a price to pay for trying in Ireland, and that needs to change.

However I’m not going to end this on a sad note. It’s great to see twitter come to Ireland.

‘giz a job, bud?