Irish Enterprise Minister, Batt O'Keeffe has stressed the importance of innovation in Ireland's economic recovery during the launch of the OECD's Strategy for Innovation in Paris.
Minister O'Keeffe was invited to address delegates at the launch by the OECD Director General, Angel Gurría.
The strategy is the OECD's proposed policy framework that will help countries to recover sustainably from the global economic crisis by driving innovation-led programmes.
Minister O’Keeffe said many of the challenges identified in the OECD strategy were similar to those the Irish Government is now tackling.
Minister O'Keeffe said: "The OECD's invitation to our Government to address the launch is a strong message that the organisation believes we are on the right path when it comes to developing Ireland as the innovation island.
"Our approach to innovation is based on the need to enhance our research base, drive in-company research and development investment levels, build collaborative research between industry and higher education institutions, and commercialise research outputs.
"The establishment of a strong research culture in Ireland is a vital driver of major investment decisions by overseas and indigenous firms and it continues to lead to industrial and academic research partnerships."
He continued: "Despite the recession, Ireland won 125 foreign investments last year and half of those were in research, development and innovation.
"We must continue to transform our enterprise and investment landscape to stay competitive."
(NS/BMcC)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
03/12/2024
A £12 million investment will be made by one of the UK & Ireland's leading construction manufacturers, Tobermore, to expand its operations. Kick-starting the expansion, the L'Derry-based company will invest £4 million in new jobs, including the creation of a dedicated technical design team to ...
03/12/2024
Dankse Bank have supported an investment totalling over £3.1million to expand the Ballymena headquarters of Northern Ireland's leading precast concrete manufacturer and supplier, Moore Concrete Products Ltd. The expansion will include building three new factories totalling 4,750square metres for ...
03/12/2024
The second phase of construction works at Kiltipper Park in South Dublin were officially marked recently by a sod-turning event. The works about to commence will include the construction of an extended car park; footpath and northern pedestrian entrance improvements; sports pitch construction and ...
03/12/2024
Ballyclare-based housebuilder Hagan Homes has appointed a new Managing Director. Jim Burke, who boasts over 35 years of dedicated service within the Northern Ireland company resulting in a wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry, will take up the role as Hagan Homes embarks on a ...
03/12/2024
Northern Ireland construction firm GRAHAM has received National GOLD honours for the Belfast-based Nelson Place Student Accommodation in the Climate Change Benefits category at this year's Green Apple Awards. The state-of-the-art facility boasts the first two blue roofs to be installed in Northern ...
03/12/2024
Works to replace over 8.7km of ageing water mains with new, modern pipes in Sligo have successfully been completed, Uisce Éireann has announced. As a result, customers to the south of Sligo town are benefitting from a more secure and reliable water supply. The recent works included three sections ...
03/12/2024
A transformative project at the Melvin Recreational and Resource Complex in Garrison, County Fermanagh, has successfully been completed. The project, which was delivered under the Covid Recovery Small Settlement Regeneration Programme, saw the Complex's bedrooms and dormitory rooms enhanced into ...
03/12/2024
A public consultation is now open regarding the newly launched Draft Dromore Place Plan by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The plan outlines key projects to rejuvenate the area and enhance its social, economic and environmental well-being, with input included from 614 local ...
03/12/2024
Road construction and utility works are currently ongoing in Ballina, Co. Tipperary. The works, which began yesterday, resulted in the urgent closure of the R-496-13 road from the junction at Roolagh at R-494-0 for a 100m section. This closure will remain in place until 11.59pm on Saturday, ...
03/12/2024
Ground investigation works are set to commence from next week in Wicklow. The works, which will take place on the N81 at Hollywood Junction (approximately 0.25km either side of the junction), will begin from Monday, December 9, until Thursday, December 12. Temporary traffic management will be in ...