Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO will today be presented with the Spirit of Ireland Award in recognition of her work in promoting Dublin and Ireland as a destination for FDI from Silicon Valley.

Ms Quin is in San Jose as part of a delegation of Irish business leaders visiting the west coast of America to help foster links between Ireland and west coast of America. Dublin has been twinned with San Jose since 1986. Ms Quin will be presented with the award this afternoon at a special luncheon.

Dublin Chamber was heavily involved in the re-opening last year of a direct flight between Dublin and the US west coast. Aer Lingus recently announced that it will increase the number of flights per week between Dublin and San Francisco International Airport from five to seven.

The 2015 San Jose mission started yesterday and will run until Monday 9th March. The delegation is led by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and consists of business meetings with Cisco and Google, cultural events and other activities. Others on the mission include Greg Clarke, President of Dublin Chamber of Commerce and other businesses leaders from Dublin.

Gina Quin said, "It is a huge honour to receive this award. I accept it on behalf of the many people and businesses who have worked hard to foster the relationship between Dublin and San Jose. Of every €10m of FDI that comes into Ireland from North America, €4m emanates from Silicon Valley.  Silicon Valley companies already employ thousands of workers throughout Ireland. The IDA has set some very ambitious targets for FDI growth between now and 2020, making it hugely important that we continue to maximise the unique relationship between Dublin and San Jose."

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