NYSE Welcomes H.E. Brian Cowen T.D., Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Of Ireland

H.E. Brian Cowen T.D., Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, today visited the New York Stock Exchange, the world’s leading equities market and a subsidiary of NYSE Euronext (NYX), where he gave a keynote address about Ireland’s economy and rang The Opening Bell.

"We are very pleased to welcome Taoiseach Cowen to the NYSE," said Duncan Niederauer, CEO of NYSE Euronext. "Clearly, Ireland is a land of great enterprise and opportunity.  We learned that with our recent acquisition of Wombat Financial Software and plan to expand our involvement in Ireland .  Like many other businesses, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Ireland and view the Taoiseach's visit to the NYSE as another important step to accomplish that goal.”

“We have one of the most open economies in the world,” said Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Cowen. “We have a pro-business culture, we invest in education, skills as well as transport and other infrastructure.” The Taoiseach said that inward investment into Ireland had greatly benefited the country’s economy, creating jobs and ideas. “Even in difficult times, we intend to pursue this strategy. We are fundamentally strong and want to strategically position ourselves to take advantage of the upturn when it comes.”

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Cowen is making his first official visit to the NYSE since taking office on May 7, 2008.