It comes as Europe looks to implement various digital reforms, including reforms to spectrum licensing and satellite regulation

Joakim Reiter, Vodafone’s chief external and corporate affairs officer, said the company was willing to explore expanding group activities in Ireland, but discussions within the EU had prompted some caution.

“There are a number of things going on that may cause problems to investment for Ireland,” he said. “I will give you a concrete example. There is a big discussion going on in Brussels now about sovereignty. I am worried as a UK-headquartered company that the EU will come to conclusions around sovereignty that will undermine my investment in Ireland, or, for that matter, other big investors in Ireland.”

Reiter noted how Ireland had been “extremely successful” in attracting investment, especially from US tech companies. Last month, the London-headquartered group, which employs over 2,000 people here, announced a €360m investment in Ireland, including its mobile network and digital and IT spend up to 2030.

Reiter said Ireland’s EU Presidency was a real opportunity to shape a more pro-investment approach to digital policy. Photo: Getty

“We wouldn’t want to see the EU do something that would jeopardise foreign investment into the EU, including Ireland,” he added.

Reiter said Vodafone had invested significantly here, but longer-term decisions depended on a predictable policy and regulatory environment providing businesses with “confidence and certainty”.

He added that Ireland’s EU Presidency was a real opportunity to shape a more pro-investment approach to digital policy, recognising “how critical networks are to competitiveness, security and economic growth”. It comes as Europe looks to implement various digital reforms, including reforms to spectrum licensing and satellite regulation, that will have huge implications for the sector.

We wouldn’t want to see the EU do something that would jeopardise foreign investment into the EU, including Ireland

“We are willing to make Ireland one of our lead nations for launching direct-by-satellite connectivity, which is transformational. But again, will we be allowed to play? Will we have access to spectrum, or will we be treated as a serious investor into the EU, or as a foreign player? That is an ongoing debate right now.”

Reiter said he hoped the Irish Government, as part of the presidency, would help Brussels avoid a turn that would be bad for the continent.

Frankly, given the kind of regulatory approach that we see in Europe, that creates some real challenges

“We are there and willing to invest,” he added. “So please allow us to play by the same rules as the European players.”

Vodafone’s warning comes after Kyle Andeer, Apple’s global legal vice president, said it may no longer be “worth the time and effort” for the giant tech firm to invest in “infrastructure” here if the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) stops it from safely or profitably releasing products in the EU. Apple’s largest European base is in Cork, where it employs 6,000 people.

“We are looking for new places to grow,” said Andeer. “Frankly, given the kind of regulatory approach that we see in Europe, that creates some real challenges for us when we think about where we put our investment efforts.”

Google has also criticised the DMA, saying that it has introduced “uncertainty and unpredictability” that “hurts European consumers and businesses”.