Transforming economy paramount for recovery – Kennedy

Dublin North Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kennedy has today given his full support to the implementation of the report from the Innovation Taskforce on turning Ireland into a Global Innovation Hub, creating over 100,000 jobs over the next 10 years.

“This is an ambitious document but it’s time to be bold.  We have to take this report and pursue its recommendations which are very interesting in the area of intellectual property, education and exports of products and services,” said Deputy Kennedy.

 The Report from the Innovation Taskforce sets out is vision of Ireland as a Global Innovation Hub and sees the future Ireland as being the best place in Europe to turn research and knowledge into products  and services; the best place in Europe to start and grow an innovative company and the best place to relocate or expand and scale a small or medium sized business.

 “I am particularly keen to see the Taskforce’s ideas on education implemented.  The report says the education system needs to be better connected to the needs of innovative enterprises and that we should introduce bonus points for high level maths.  I’m pleased that this particular initiative is going to be brought in on a trial basis and monitored closely,” said Deputy Kennedy.

 “Budget 2010 marked another important step in restoring order to the public finances and the Taskforce’s recommendation that Ireland should encourage overseas entrepreneurs to come to Ireland to start and grow their companies here will get a lot of attention,” concluded Deputy Kennedy.

A full list of recommendations and further information is available on www.innovationtaskforce.ie