Minister⁣ Met⁢ with US Firm Under State Investigation

Junior enterprise minister Dara Calleary held a private ⁢meeting with ⁢executives from Phoenix Tower International (PTI), a⁣ US telecommunications company⁤ whose notable acquisition of Irish mobile⁢ sites was under investigation by the state ‍consumer protection agency at the time.

The meeting, which also included representatives from the⁢ IDA – Ireland’s inward investment agency – saw Calleary express⁣ strong support for the company’s plans in Ireland.According to meeting notes, the minister “welcomed the company’s investment in Ireland” and ‍emphasized that “the new government is very pro-business.” He further lauded the⁣ IDA, stating, “Ireland is blessed to have IDA working for the country as they⁢ are ‍the best inward investment organisation‍ in the world.”

Phoenix Tower International, which has a significant stake held by private equity giant Blackstone, was in the process of acquiring approximately 1,700 ⁢Irish mobile⁢ telecoms sites ⁣from the Spanish company Cellnex.⁣ This proposed ⁤deal ⁢was under scrutiny by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) due to concerns it could “result in higher prices and/or ‍lower service⁢ quality” for consumers. The ⁤Department of Enterprise (DETE) was also conducting its ‍own assessment of the transaction.

during the meeting, Calleary acknowledged the self-reliant nature of these regulatory processes. “The CCPC and inward ⁣investment screening are independent processes,” he stated. “Should ⁤the company require an update on progress with inward investment screening, they are welcome to contact DETE officials.”

An IDA Target Company

The engagement between Minister Calleary and Phoenix Tower International was ⁤initiated by the PR firm Q4PR, representing PTI. ‍Correspondence released under freedom of facts to The ditch revealed that Q4PR ⁣contacted the Department ⁤of Trade and Enterprise last year, expressing PTI’s desire ⁣to meet with the minister. This meeting was afterward confirmed and held‍ on January 8th.

An email sent the day⁣ prior to‍ the meeting detailed the attendees: “The two most senior executives ⁣of Phoenix Tower International (PTI) will attend on 8 January, the chairman Tim Culver and the CEO dagan Kasavana. They ⁤will brief the ⁢minister on their plans for Ireland following the deal in March 2024 below by them.” The email further outlined PTI’s proposed acquisition of critical infrastructure owned⁤ by Cellnex, first announced in march 2024, and reiterated the company’s intention to discuss⁢ its strategic plans‍ for Ireland.

The meeting‍ brought together ⁢PTI’s chairman Tim Culver and ⁢CEO Dagan Kasavana, alongside Michael Diverio, a senior managing director from Blackstone.State representatives included⁣ officials from the Department of Trade and Enterprise and two IDA representatives. Internal communications confirmed that PTI was considered “an ⁤IDA target company,” and‍ Calleary’s office had ⁤inquired about the appropriateness of an IDA official’s attendance. The ⁣Ditch has since sought clarification from IDA Ireland regarding PTI’s current client status.

Regulatory ‍Clearance ⁤and Departmental Stance

The Competition and Consumer protection Commission ultimately⁤ cleared PTI’s acquisition on february 6th,⁢ 2025, just weeks after the ministerial meeting. This clearance was subject to several legally binding commitments.

When approached for comment on the matter,the Department of Enterprise stated that it‍ “does not comment on individual cases.” The CCPC, meanwhile, maintained its independence, asserting that it was not aware ⁣of the meeting.