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PA WIRE

Web Summit is going on a hiring spree – including someone to deal with the Irish government

It comes as the company eyes a possible return to Dublin.

IRISH TECH EVENTS company Web Summit has announced plans to hire 40 staff – including a person given the task of dealing with the Irish government.

The Dublin-based company, which currently has 150 staff on its books, runs a number of tech events around the world in Portugal, Spain, Hong Kong and the US.

The firm will be hiring for a range of roles including data-based engineering positions, a producer for its speaker stages and an advisor for the Dutch market.

One notable role the company has sought to fill is an ‘Irish government affairs manager’ for its Dublin office, with the candidate expected to have over eight years experience in public policy and government relations.

The move appears to be a play by the company to repair relations with Irish state bodies ahead of bringing an event back to Irish shores.

Fora understands Web Summit is considering moving its fintech event, Moneyconf, from Madrid to Dublin for future conferences. However, the company has said it is also looking into Edinburgh and Paris as possible venues.

The job spec for the new role states it would involve representing Web Summit in its engagement with state agencies and “promote the values of Web Summit to the Irish government”.

Facebook post by the company yesterday promoted the role and said:

Good at building relationships with Irish politicians? Great because we’re not, so we’re hiring. Trinity degree not essential. WiFi works (in office, mostly).

web-summit-luis-figo Portuguese football legend Luis Figo Web Summit Web Summit

A government spat

The event organisers had a high-profile and public spat with Irish officials in 2015, when its flagship event was moved from Dublin to Lisbon. Its 2014 event in the Irish capital, in particular, was notoriously beset with WiFi problems.

During the war of words, Web Summit co-founder and chief executive Paddy Cosgrave variously raised concerns about traffic management, public transport and hotel costs in Dublin city.

He also criticised the Irish government for not making the most of the event and published a series of emails between his company and state officials to demonstrate what it was claimed was a lackadaisical approach from government.

For moving its main event to Lisbon, Web Summit will bag €1.3 million a year over a three-year period from Portuguese governments, while it has also opened an office in the city.

However its main base remains in Dublin, where the majority of the 40 new positions are expected to be filled.

Hiring techniques

Each of the company’s advertised positions comes with a list of perks, including fully subsidised healthcare cover, free gym membership and an “unlimited supply of fresh fruit”.

This latest hiring announcement has come just over a year after the company announced plans to hire 100 people.

Meanwhile in 2014, the company attracted controversy when it advertised 40 new positions but made it clear that only applicants with a first-class honours from an NUI college would be considered.

However, graduates of Trinity College Dublin – where Cosgrave previously studied – who achieved the lower 2.1 grade would also be considered.

Written by Killian Woods and posted on Fora.ie

Read: People who paid thousands for tickets left waiting outside Web Summit

Read: Looks like the Web Summit was doing quite well in Dublin

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    Mute Emer Caffrey
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    Jun 18th 2020, 12:50 PM

    Absolutely senseless crime, a wonderful man gone for no reason, tragic RIP

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    Mute Canyon
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:17 PM

    @Emer Caffrey: Gemma O Doherty tweeted about it….she is some piece of work…

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    Mute Chrissy Beanz
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:17 PM

    I would just like to say; Last night, when YOU were sleeping soundly in your bed in our sanctuary which is the well-policed Republic of Ireland, Colm Horkan gave his life for YOU. In honor of that sacrifice and to acknowledge the mettle and gallantry of all our Gardai, it is time for YOU to KNEEL and PRAY.
    Chris Buchan

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    Mute Negan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:23 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: not a time to be forcing your religious values on others Chris.

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    Mute Ed Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:29 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: we can pay our respects without kneeling and praying but each to their own I guess.

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    Mute Daniel Andrews
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:01 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: what will praying do?

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    Mute Martello Mulligan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:52 PM

    To the nit-picking simpletons: you should acknowledge the man’s sacrifice before you throw up your precious little quibbles.

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Jun 18th 2020, 3:43 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: My deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues at this time. What a self serving thing to say, to use this poor man’s death to further your religious agenda. You ought to be ashamed.

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    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:35 PM

    @Martello Mulligan: I’m sure guards don’t sign up to sacrifice anything for anyone. We have a relatively peaceful country, and no one should be expected to be killed. The nonsense being put out there is as if we’re living in constant fear or a way zone. Until we know better, this was an accident, and we need to stop the calls for capital punishment until the facts emerge.

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    Mute Martello Mulligan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 5:26 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: an accident??? Who said guards sign up for sacrifice??? Focus, my friend.

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    Mute Seomra Ban
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    Jun 18th 2020, 6:05 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: a 5 shot accident?

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    Mute Stephen Kearon
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:25 PM

    Absolutely horrific crime, there should be only one sentence for capital murder, and its not the one that wastes tax payers money year after year

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    Mute Nolan Spare
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:10 PM

    @Stephen Kearon: Probably will only be charged with manslaughter.

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Jun 18th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Shocking alright…..some lunatics out there

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    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:10 PM

    Omg how awful, his poor family. God love him. Rip.

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    Mute Robbie Graham
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:03 PM

    Incredibly sad and scarcely believable. Condolences to his family, friends and community. RIP Garda Horkan.

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    Mute Nioe
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    Terrible news. Hopefully his needless loss will be a turning point when the justice system starts to stand up against crime and protect our citizens.

    The law has for too long protected the criminals and this coin has gone lawless.

    Guaranteed whoever committed this crime has a massive criminal record and would not be on the streets if there was a functional justice system with proper sentencing….

    RIP

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    Mute Jane Alford
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    It’s beyond time where firearms are designed to only able to be fired by the individual the gun is signed out to. The grips need to be digitized. The technology is available, about time it is used.

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    Mute John J. Smith
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:48 PM

    @Jane Alford: The Gardai have always been under resourced and even some stations haven’t even a computer or wiFi. It would be unlikely that money would be allocated for your excellent idea.

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    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:37 PM

    @John J. Smith: detective Horkan was last year supporting calls for increased spend on tazers and vests. Ironically, it would have saved his life.

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    Mute Seán Maguire
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:32 PM

    Terrible tragedy condolences to his family, colleagues and community.

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    Mute Liam McGrath
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    Jun 19th 2020, 2:34 AM

    Patrick heard 5 shots, not a very credible witness, because it was later reported that there was 15 shots fired. I think he’s telling porkies.

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