Matheson, which last week opened its first Irish regional office in Cork, sponsored the lunch, which was attended by leading Cork businesses and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

The law firm currently acts for nearly two-thirds of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland’s foreign direct investment (FDI) member companies in Cork.

Speaking at the lunch, Mr Jackson described the current attractiveness of Cork for multinational investment and the many factors that will drive future growth.

He said: “The Ireland 2040 Plan will see Cork City and County grow at the fastest rate of any region with the population of the city set to more than double in the next 20 years.

“With €500 million in commercial developments completed or under development in the city, UCC investing €350m in its campus and student accommodation and Cork Airport seeing an 80 per cent increase in airlines and 40 per cent increase in routes since 2017, there is significant scope for future growth.”

Highlighting the value of FDI and the contribution made by Irish companies to the US economy, he added: “Today, US multinationals employ 155,000 people directly in Ireland and have invested the equivalent of $80,000 for every man, woman and child living in the country.

“This flow however, is by no means one way, with over 400 Irish companies active in the US in over 2000 locations.

“As the law firm of choice for internationally focused companies and financial institutions doing business in and from Ireland, Matheson is delighted to work with the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and to support the Chamber’s Annual Cork Business Lunch.”