On Saturday Fine Gael announced that it would abandon the timetable for budget cuts next years and also put forward a long list of promises for extra spending including a new health system, tax cuts and various spending increases.

Over the last year the tough action to control borrowing has been central to bringing down the cost of financing the national debt and Ireland is being widely praised for being serious about tackling its problems. This was repeated by a wide range of important business and political leaders in the United States only last week.

Fine Gael’s embracing of policies which would destroy all of this progress shows that they are only interested in political posturing rather than offering a real plan for Ireland’s future.

Byrne stated: ‘I warmly welcome this announcement of funding  under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. I am particularly pleased that East Meath Active Retirement Association will receive over €2,400 euro of funding.’

'The purpose of this Scheme is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people through the community based provision of socially monitored alarm systems, and security equipment such as sensor lighting, window locks, door locks, door chains and smoke alarms.'

'The installation of this equipment will afford peace of mind and enhance the safety of many older members in our communities. I wish to express my gratitude to the voluntary groups throughout Ireland for their active involvement in bringing the benefits of this Scheme to their communities' continued Byrne.

'Applications can be made throughout the year, thereby allowing applicants to benefit from the wide range of security aids available as the need arises' concluded Byrne.

The policy statement, which outlines the range of Government measures taken to support job creation and growth, was provided as briefing to all Government Ministers travelling across the globe for St. Patrick’s Day trade, investment and promotion missions.

Jobs and Growth 2010 outlines the core policies and measures that underpin the Government’s drive to grow exports and create sustainable jobs, including Government action in a number of key areas:

· Recovery in Competitiveness: Business costs have fallen: wage bills, asset prices, energy and prices in general have responded to the effects of recession and corrective Government action. Competition in key sectors of the economy is being intensified.

· Investing in people: Retraining people who have lost jobs; developing higher skills in the education system and in the workforce; and identifying where the skills needs of the future continues to be a centrepiece of government policy.

· Investment and Jobs: Growing and attracting companies with global business potential – whether science based, high-tech manufacturing, international services, value-added agribusiness, education, health, tourism and leisure.

· R&D and Innovation: Investing heavily in R&D, in universities and colleges and in industry to provide the skills and technologies that will give Irish companies a global advantage.

· The Right Environment: The tax system is purposefully pro-business and fine-tuned to ensure it is internationally competitive. Our regulatory environment is smart and fair and we aim to further improve administrative cost savings for business in our “better regulation” programme.

· World Class infrastructure: Maintaining a high level of capital investment in transport, energy and broadband infrastructure, which are fundamental to business operations.

· New Jobs and new Sectors: Looking out over the horizon to the technologies and sectors which will drive global business opportunities and economic growth in Ireland – sectors that are fundamental such as health, education and green technologies, financial services, information technology, food, building and tourism.

· Green Stimulus: Government spending for 2010 commits over €1 billion to programmes that support and stimulate the green economy, upgrade essential environmental infrastructure such as water and protect our rural environment. Ireland's ‘new green deal’ sees a transition to a low carbon economy, the promotion of green enterprise and the creation of ‘green collar’ jobs. This strategy is already paying dividends, fostering a new generation of innovators, supporting exciting collaborative projects and delivering future sustainable solutions to the marketplace.

· Global Market footprint: Maintaining share in our major markets and growing our trade in the new markets of Asia, Russia and the Middle East. We are supporting Agencies that deliver our policies on skills, innovation,marketing, and entrepreneurship. We are using our “Green” brand with a renewed purpose and vigour to win jobs and investment and to build networks and links with new markets.

The report is available at www.entemp.ie.

"The National Roads Authority has confirmed that it plans to award contracts in the coming months for major works at the Bandon Road and Sarsfield Road interchanges along the N25, one of the main arteries for the Southside of the city."

"It is expected that the funding for the projects will be made available for the design phase- with work to start shortly afterwards."

"In addition to the long term benefits of the improvements for commuters and businesses on the Southside the work will also create many jobs during the construction phase.

"I will be remaining in close contact with the Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority to ensure the contract phase is advanced as quickly as possible, so as we can see construction starting at the earliest possible date", concluded Minister Martin.

An early referral of the case to the European Court of Justice will be sought by the Attorney General at the Supreme Court as the best option to get legal certainty on the issue for the Bypass and future road projects.

At a meeting with European Commission officials in Brussels which I attended with Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP last November, a number of critical points emerged:

It was emphasised that the Commission was in no way against the development of major infrastructure projects, as long as they adhere to the Habitats Directive. The Directive states that the competent national authority may approve a development only after ascertaining that it will not affect the integrity of the site concerned. However, there is an in built flexibility in the Directive which allows a development to continue in spite of a negative assessment.

Without wishing to pre-judge the Supreme Court ruling the Commission officials considered that should the Supreme Court find in favour of the County Council ‘it was more likely than not’ that the Commission would begin infringement proceedings against Ireland.

If the Irish Supreme Court finds against Galway County Council, the development can only proceed if, in the opinion of the Commission, the competent authority can demonstrate that the development must be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, no alternative options exist, and all necessary compensatory measures have been taken. The Commissions officials suggested in our meeting that such an opinion could be delivered quite quickly, assuming that the County Council have a case prepared for consideration.

The Commission officials confirmed to me that they would be available to meet informally with Galway County Council and the NRA. They said that it would be useful from their perspective to become better informed on the route selection process and why the development must be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest.

In light of the views expressed by the Attorney General, supported by Ministers Dempsey and Gormley and the clear position of the European Commission is that it appears that the best approach would be that the Supreme Court approach the European Court of Justice for a ‘preliminary ruling’. This procedure allows a national court to seek advice if it is in any doubt about the interpretation or validity of an EU law.

I was informed that EU Commission officials that this procedure can typically take up to 18 months.

If this is the approach chosen by the Supreme Court I believe it is imperative that informal discussions take place between the NRA/Galway County Council and the EU Commission. This will enable the NRA/County Council to provide the Commission with information supporting its application, which comprehensively addresses the issue of possible alternative routes, and the reasons for selecting the route put forward.

While the opinion of the Commission has not been sought for a project in Ireland under these circumstances before, the Commission has given favourable responses in the case of projects in other Member States, where a well prepared case, covering the necessary information, has been put forward.

Following the Supreme Court hearing the planning process should be allowed to continue to the point where the project is ready to go to the invitation of preliminary tenders.

This would involve a site investigation work and the archaeological investigations which have a12 month time scale. The interpretation issue should not impact on the substantive issue, which can be progressed between the EU Commission and the NRA/Galway County Council.

Galway City and Connemara needs this Bypass and it cannot afford to be caught up in this bureaucracy. The development and growth of the city is being hindered with each day that passes in this legal wrangle, and I hope that this proposal will be given serious consideration by the NRA and Galway County Council.

‘I have previously made numerous representations on behalf of residents in relation to the lack of a broadband service in the Newtown, Lobinstown and Rathkenny areas. I have been told by 3, who operate the National Broadband Scheme contract, that Rathkenny and Lobinstown have now been provided with broadband. This is very good news for residents’ stated Byrne.

‘The Government’s National Broadband Scheme (NBS) aims to deliver broadband services to consumers and businesses located within those parts of the county, like Newtown, Lobinstown and Rathkenny, which have no form of broadband available at the moment.’

‘Through the National Broadband Scheme, people living in rural areas across Meath will gain access to online services, and broadband will also mean that more people can run businesses from home. The total value of the investment in implementing the National Broadband Scheme is around €223m nationwide.'

‘A dedicated customer care team is also available to deal with any National Broadband Scheme queries (on 1913) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week’ concluded Byrne.

I wish to thank you, Mr. President and Mrs. Obama, for your warm and gracious welcome to The White House tonight. 

Mary and I, and all of our delegation, are delighted to be here with you again this year.

I extend to you all our greetings for St. Patrick’s Day.

This occasion is an honour not only for those of us present this evening, but for all Irish people at home and across America. 

We feel very much at home.

We remember tonight that this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the election of President Kennedy, in whose legacy we Irish take great pride.

On one occasion, speaking in your home city of Chicago, John F Kennedy described Ireland’s diaspora as a “fraternal empire”.

He said that: 

“whether we live in Cork or Boston, Chicago or Sydney, we are all members of a great family which is linked together by that strongest of chains – a common past”.

The bonds between Ireland and America run deep in our shared history .

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in every State and corner of America .

It is so pleasing to us that this day has come to be appreciated and enjoyed by all Americans.

The great blending of our people and our history has been shown in all its glory by the group who are entertaining us tonight – the magnificent Keltic Dreams.

Next year, we will be having a special year of celebration of Irish arts and culture here in the United States, so I can assure you that we will have many more artists who will be ready and willing to return here at any time !

I am delighted we are joined here tonight by a great Irish actor, Gabriel Byrne. Gabriel has this week accepted an appointment as Ireland’s first Cultural Ambassador and I wish him well in that endeavour.

And of course, Mr President, when the Irish are finished looking after your entertainment needs, Padraig Harrington, who also joins us tonight, can help you with your golf game.

Mr President,

This year on St Patrick’s Day, we are particularly mindful of the absence of our dear and loyal friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

Ted loved to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and at times like this we miss his enthusiastic presence.

He took great pride in his Irish heritage and he cared deeply about peace on our island.

I know that he would be especially pleased to acknowledge the crucial and decisive step forward taken in recent weeks by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, and all leaders in Northern Ireland.

We congratulate them all on what has been achieved.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, may I say how much we hope to see you, the First Lady and your family, in Ireland soon.

I am sure you will have heard of the great welcome accorded to your predecessors.

Ireland will never forget the historic visit by President Kennedy to his home place in 1963.

If you visit us, I can assure you of an equally warm welcome, especially in Co Offaly, where I have some influence.

I know that you trace your own ancestry back to the place where I have lived all my life.

It is amazing how many O’Hara’s, O’Sullivans and O’Neills are frantically searching to see if they are in any way linked to the O’bama’s.

Mr President,

It is now my great honour to present you with this Bowl of Shamrock. I do so in celebration of the achievements of the Irish in America and of the everlasting friendship between the people of Ireland and the people of the United States of America.

I wish you all Beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Phádraig.

A very Happy St Patrick’s Day.

"We had parades to equal any town or city in any part of the world that celebrated our National Feast Day. As ever, it comes down to a dedicated few in each area to put many hours of planning into the events. Obviously, without participants there wouldn't be any parade either, but the huge turn outs proved that we, as spectators appreciated the hard work and effort put in by all.

The weather is important for events but there were events inside and out that catered for many tastes across the peninsula and county. Unusually the rain held off and this encouraged both visitors and locals alike to make the most of the occasion.

I wish to again commend all involved, in Moville the Coastguard Rescue Team's services were called on in a genuine emergency during the parade and this put into perspective the variety of individuals and groups that make up our community.

There are many people who make things happen and give of their time to assist us in minor or major ways. I would encourage everyone who enjoyed the day to consider supporting in a practical way those who will organise an event or look for assistance at community level.

Everyone's help is always welcome and the adage is true: 'many hands make light work'. I know many people will give a big hand and Bualadh Bos to our festival organisers, our emergency services and all those who made St Patrick's Day a positively memorable one" commented Senator Cecilia Keaveney.

The Taoiseach expressed delight at the Vice-President’s invitation.

He said:

“I am delighted to begin the celebrations of our National Day with the Vice-President of the United States and Dr Jill Biden. Joe Biden comes from proud Irish stock – the Finnegans - from Scranton, Pennsylvania, a place which remains one of the great centres of Irish America to this day. Joe Biden has been a major figure in American politics over several decades. He is a true friend of Ireland. I will bring him the best wishes of the Irish people for a happy St Patrick’s Day ”.

After the celebration breakfast with the Vice-President, the Taoiseach will travel to the White House for a summit meeting with President Barack Obama. Later, he will attend the Speaker’s Lunch on Capitol Hill with President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The celebrations in Washington conclude with a White House evening reception in honour of the Taoiseach and Mrs Mary Cowen.

He also chaired a meeting of American members the Global Irish Network. The Global Irish Network was formed as a follow-up to the Global Irish Forum, which was held in Farmleigh last year.

The Taoiseach said: “I am delighted to chair a meeting of members of the Global Irish Network in the United States, which will complement the long-standing and ongoing work of the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. A key message from the Global Irish Forum at Farmleigh was the desire for Irish people and people of Irish descent around the world to have a permanent network to interact with each other, to promote Ireland abroad and to provide a resource for the Government and people of Ireland.

The Government acted swiftly to establish the Network and it is great to see that, to date, some 285 influential individuals from 38 countries have agreed to participate. The Government has also listened carefully to the many imaginative proposals made at the inaugural Forum. A follow-up report was published by the Minister for Foreign Affairs earlier this month.”

As well as accompanying the Taoiseach to his meeting with President Obama on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, the Minister will have substantive discussions on bilateral issues when he meets with the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, 16 March. The topics to be discussed include global economic recovery, recent developments in Northern Ireland, immigration issues, European and international issues and Ireland-US relations.

The Minister will also have the opportunity to update members of the Global Irish Network on progress being made since the Global Economic Forum in Farmleigh last October.

The Minister said:

“I am delighted to be able to participate in events in Washington D.C. marking St. Patrick’s Day. The welcome being extended both to the Taoiseach and I demonstrates the strength of Ireland’s relationship with the United States. I look forward in my discussions with Secretary Clinton and with other political and business leaders to discussing areas for greater cooperation between our two countries so that we can continue to strengthen this key relationship.”

Minister Martin with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the Minister's visit from 2009.

The Minister is undertaking a six day trip across Birmingham and London and meeting with a range of representatives from the business, tourism and philanthropy sectors as well as meeting with a range of people from the Irish Community.

Speaking today, Minister Curran said: “I am delighted with the experiences gained from the trip so far. We must not forget that the Irish community around the world is one of our strongest assets. The Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh, Dublin, brought together some of the most influential members of the Irish Diaspora from across the world. The Forum marked a new phase of active and practical engagement between Ireland and our overseas communities, particularly in the business sector. Since that event, the Government has put in place a number of new initiatives, including the Global Irish Network, designed to harness the considerable enthusiasm among participants and their strong willingness to support and assist in building a successful future for Ireland”.

He continued “It is important to maintain strong contact with the Irish community abroad. Yesterday, I attended a business lunch with Irish professionals and discussed Irish economic recovery and generation of business opportunities and I also met with Dame Stephanie Shirley, Ambassador for Philanthropy of the Third Sector Office and these discussions were most informative. The factors which facilitated our recent economic success remain and Ireland continues to be a very attractive location for business and indeed tourism. I will be reinforcing this message throughout my trip”.

The Minister also praised the work of Irish organisations in the UK: “We should not underestimate the important contribution made by the Irish community organisations throughout Britain. The work carried out by these organisations in improving the quality of life of thousands of Irish emigrants has helped maintain and enhance vibrant communities across Britain. This work is deeply appreciated by the Government at home. In 2009, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Irish Government has provided funding of £7.6 million to 135 organisations in England, Scotland and Wales”.

Tonight, he will make the keynote address at the Annual Dinner of the American Ireland Fund.

His speech is expected to focus on the recent significant progress in the Northern Ireland peace process, following the Hillsborough Agreement and the vote last week to transfer policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.

The Taoiseach will also meet with US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who will be honoured for her contribution to the peace process. Earlier, the Taoiseach will meet with members of the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board. He will also chair a meeting of American members of the Global Irish Network, where he is expected to emphasise the importance of Irish culture to our international identity as well as the economic and social aspects of our global relationships.

The Global Irish Network was formed as a follow-up to the Global Irish Forum, which was held in Farmleigh last year.

The Taoiseach will also attend a business event hosted by Enterprise Ireland for Irish companies who are operating in the United States. Tomorrow, the Taoiseach will meet with President Obama for the traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the White House.

“It is astonishing that the HSE has never taken up this vital post.  I was on the board of Tallaght Hospital many years ago and from the time the HSE was established it was entitled to appoint a board member and it never has,” said Deputy O’Connor, who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.

“It’s clear that the HSE has abdicated responsibility here.  We may never know if the scandal of unread x-rays at Tallaght Hospital could have been discovered sooner if the HSE had its eye on the ball, but it certainly makes me wonder.  Tallaght Hospital gets €200 million in funding from the HSE and yet the HSE feels it doesn’t need a person on the board to ensure the hospital is running properly and spending that money correctly,” added Deputy O’Connor.

“I have written to Chairman of the HSE (Mr. Liam Downey) to ask him to explain why the HSE has never sought to have a representative on the board of one of the largest hospitals in the country and when the HSE will rectify this disgraceful situation,” concluded Deputy O’Connor.

The Taoiseach will hold talks with the President of Stanford University, Dr John Hennessy. Stanford is one of the leading universities in the world with a global reputation for science, research and innovation. Stanford has hosted 60 CEOs from Irish IT and life science companies under the Enterprise Ireland leadership for Growth programme. A member of Stanford faculty, Burton Lee, was a member of the Government’s Innovation Taskforce, whose report was published last week.

Before the meeting, the Taoiseach commented:

“Last week, the Government launched the Innovation Taskforce report, which is central to our plan for Ireland’s economic renewal. We have many important attributes that can enable us to become a Global Innovation Hub in Europe. These include a young population, a strong educational standard, a good tax and regulatory environment and a culture and mindset that promotes innovation and international collaboration. The Innovation Taskforce identified the higher education sector as a crucial element in a successful innovation ecosystem. An education system that fosters independent thinking, creativity and innovation is vital in a smart economy. We need to learn from the best and work with the best. So I am delighted to be able to meet with President Hennessy of Stanford University and to listen and learn from his experience. ”

The Taoiseach is also expected to meet with the President of University College Dublin and the Provost of Trinity College Dublin to help promote greater collaboration between the new TCD-UCD Innovation Alliance and leading US universities.

Later, the Taoiseach will open a new Irish Innovation Centre in Silicon Valley.

This fund is part of a package of measures agreed at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers to support dairy farmers across the EU who were severely affected by the fall in milk prices.

Having consulted with the various stakeholders in the dairy sector, Minister Smith said he had decided to allocate the money on a flat rate basis. “This enabled my Department to make the payments at the earliest possible time without the need for farmers to submit applications for payment”.

Each Member State's share of the EU funds was established using their milk production in the 2008/2009 year, and on this basis, Ireland received €11.5 million. The rate payable is €590 to each dairy farmer, who produced milk during the 2008/2009 milk quota year.

I have been expressing personal concern for some time that reasonable development proposals, especially houses, on lightly trafficked national secondary roads in Donegal and of course nationally, should not be automatically blocked in the planning process. It is currently the case that permission to develop a house with access to a national secondary road is automatically forbidden even where the level of traffic on that road is relatively low”, said Pat the Cope.

“I am pleased to confirm that officials in the Department of Transport, the Department of the Environment and the National Roads Authority are now finalising a review of the guidelines in relation to planning policy and national roads.

The draft guidelines are being finalised by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Mr John Gormley TD and will go out for public consultation at which stage the local Authorities and the general public will have an opportunity to make submissions.

Given the intrinsic relationship between transport and planning policies, and the need for both sets of policies to be consistent and complementary, I believe that planning guidelines will assist in ensuring that roads planning, development planning and development management processes are appropriately aligned in accommodating suitable development proposals on lowly trafficked roads. These guidelines could provide opportunities for developments to be undertaken on the N56," continued Pat the Cope .

“It is, of course, critically important that these proposed guidelines, are applied in a balanced and reasonable manner that, on the one hand, protects the State’s investment in national roads from becoming prematurely obsolescent and on the other hand, does not create an inflexible barrier to reasonable development proposals including housing, which meet design and safety criteria, especially on lightly trafficked national secondary and non-national roads”, stated Pat the Cope.

Pat the Cope, who initiated this process as Minister of State in the Department of Transport, has welcomed the advancement made by the relevant departments in developing the proposed guidelines and stated it made “no sense to sterilise the development of lands along the N56 where the necessary road safety and visibility requirements can be achieved.

“The Labour Activation Fund has been launched by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD.”

“The Fund, to which the Government has allocated €20 million, is designed to provide training and upskilling for those who are currently seeking work.”

“Any training or education provider in the private, community or voluntary sector can apply and it is targeted towards approximately 3,500 jobseekers.”

“These training and education places are in addition to the 145,000 places that are currently funded through the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.”

“The Fund will specifically target those who have become unemployed due to their sector declining such as construction, retail or manufacturing workers. The under 35s and the long-term unemployed will also be targeted.”

“There will also be a focus on those who have very low levels of education to allow them to do their Leaving Certificate.”

“Losing a job can have a devastating effect and especially when the work environment is changing, it is important that we support people in gaining back their confidence if they have lost it and increase their skills and education to be able to move into a different sector if necessary.”

“Any training or education providers can apply to the Labour Market Activation Fund with their proposal. The tenders need to be returned to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment by Thursday the 8th of April 2010. It is expected that contracts will awarded by the end of April. Further information can be found at www.etenders.gov.ie.”

“This scheme will potentially bring revenue into other training agencies in Kildare. I am pleased that community and voluntary organisations will be able to tender for the work as well as private and public educators as this will increase the training and upskilling options open to local people. I would urge any local organisation or group who think that they might meet the criteria to put forward a proposal to the Fund,” concluded Deputy Fitzpatrick.

The Tánaiste remarked that, “The establishment of this €20 million Labour Market Activation Fund is about leveraging the market’s capacity to deliver substantial training and education programmes targeting specific priority groups among the unemployed. It is intended that the call for proposals will stimulate innovative new approaches from across a spectrum of providers to assist our unemployed up-skill and get back into work. The priority groups we have targeted among the unemployed include the low skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors – such as construction, retail and manufacturing sectors, with particular emphasis on the under 35s and the long-term unemployed.”

“Our approach here is two-pronged”, the Tánaiste said. “Firstly, we want to ensure that unemployed people with low levels of education are given the chance to gain qualifications bringing them up to at least Leaving Certificate level, and thus to instil in them the confidence that they too will be better able to benefit from labour market opportunities as they return. Secondly, we recognise that those with higher-level qualifications need to be assisted to re-skill and prepare themselves for occupations in new and different sectors of the economy, where their skills will be in demand as economic recovery gets underway”.

Tenders for the Labour Market Activation Fund must be returned to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment by Thursday 8 April 2010 and it is expected that contracts will be awarded by the end of that month.

Full information on the tender requirements has been published electronically on the E-Tenders Public Procurement Website, www.etenders.gov.ie.

The development of the new facility will incorporate the existing naíonra which are already in Dungloe for the past 30 years.

Pat the Cope said “This new Childcare Facility will consist of the normal facilities for playgroups, including disabled access, and also a number of rooms to facilitate a naíonra and crèche. After school facilities will also be provided at the new centre.

He went on to say that "The availability of high quality childcare services is vital in today's Ireland, not only for parents, but also to aid in a child's development and their readiness for school.

"The development is a Turnkey project and it is hoped that the construction of this facility will be completed by September 2010.

Finally I must pay tribute to the committee whose volunteers, like so many others throughout Donegal, work diligently to provide these very necessary community facilities," concluded Pat the Cope.

“This has been a very important week for Northern Ireland.  The vote at Stormont is good for the people of Northern Ireland and everyone on this island.  We can now look to the future and will soon see policing and justice powers being exercised by democratic institutions on a cross-community basis in Northern Ireland,” said Deputy Woods, who is Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs.

“We have an agreement now for a democratic power-sharing Executive to exercise policing and justice powers.  This copper-fastens the political progress that has been made in the last 15 years and gives the clearest possible message that the will of the people is to live in peace,” said Deputy Woods.

“This historic vote and crucial step forward for Northern Ireland will be the subject of many meetings the Taoiseach will hold as part of his St. Patrick’s Day visit to the United States.  It is further proof that there is no going back to the days of hatred and conflict.  I want to congratulate the First Minister, Peter Robinson and the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, and those in the Irish and British governments who worked so hard to achieve this breakthrough,” concluded Dr. Woods.

He said: “I welcome the Taskforce’s recommendations for making Ireland a Global Innovation Hub. It is ambitious, but I believe that it can be done.

In fact, as the Taskforce point out, we have no choice but to make it happen if Ireland is to create the jobs we need.”

“The Report contains many new ideas, as well as calling for a reinforcement and better alignment of existing efforts and programmes. It also poses a challenge to industry to seize the opportunities arising. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Government to take forward the Taskforce’s recommendations to make Ireland a Global Innovation Hub.”

The Taoiseach thanked the Taskforce members for their enormous commitment of time and effort and said that their vision will require continued support from all stakeholders to ensure that all elements of Ireland’s innovation system work cohesively together.

“I am very encouraged by the level of interest in the work of the Taskforce – as demonstrated by the number of submissions they received. It shows a level of energy which we need to capture as we start implementing this Report. In fact, I know that the Taskforce’s work has, by itself, already been an important stimulus to thinking and action by many organisations and individuals.”

“This Report provides a roadmap for one of the five Action Areas in the Smart Economy Framework and complements the progress which has already been made on other aspects of the strategy.” The Taoiseach also published a progress report today on implementation of Building Ireland’s Smart Economy which is available at www.taoiseach.ie.

The Taoiseach is leaving tomorrow (Friday 12 March) to start his visit to the United States for the St. Patricks’ Day period. He said “This Report will be an important part of the message I and other Ministers will be taking abroad we promote Ireland as a location for investment.”

In welcoming the report, the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan T.D., said: "Our success to date in turning investments in research and development, in entrepreneurs, in innovative companies into world beating competitive advantage for jobs and growth must be redoubled. Critical to this is the removal of barriers to success and seizing the opportunities that the Taskforce has identified.”

Also welcoming the Taskforce’s report, the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, Eamonn Ryan T.D., said: “This Government recognises that we need to forge a new economy; we need to stimulate and invest in ourselves. As Minister responsible for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I will work across Government to deliver the infrastructure we need to innovate – broadband and our energy grid. I will continue our work to ensure a secure, competitive and clean energy supply.

We need to take risks and reward new thinking. I am particularly pleased with the recommendations on bankruptcy which will be taken on by the Debt Management taskforce currently working in Government.

Government is designing the economy of the future, this plan will bring us investment and jobs into the future. We will deliver this change.”

Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation said "Innovation and economic recovery are two sides of the same coin. The recommendations of this Report are about matching our intellectual capital with higher productivity".

Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo libh inniu chun Tuarascáil an Tascfhórsa Nuálaíochta a sheoladh. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil libh as teacht. Tá áthas orm freisin go leor de chomhaltaí an tascfhórsa a fheiceáil anseo, chuir shib go leor ama agus iarrachta isteach i reiteach an Tuarascáil chuimsitheach, tráthúil agus tábhachtach seo.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Ireland has faced the global economic and financial crisis head on. We are coming through this difficult period - I am determined that we will continue on this path. And I am confident that growth will return later this year.

But I don’t want us to come through it, merely surviving as best we can. I want us to come through the recession with a capacity to provide our citizens with enhanced opportunities and living standards.

We have a clear vision and it is guiding our thinking and actions through this difficult period.

I know where I want Ireland to be.

In the aftermath of the global crisis, a new economic order will emerge. We will face renewed competition from both east and west. I want Ireland to be positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities that will be presented.

Restoring Ireland’s cost competitiveness and simply waiting for global demand to pick up will not be enough. Innovation, in both the production and use of ideas, technology and processes, across all areas of economic activity is crucial because it drives productivity growth and, consequently, economic growth.

In December 2008, I launched the Government’s medium-term economic framework - Building Ireland’s Smart Economy. This contains five key action areas for driving productivity growth and innovation across all sectors of the economy, public and private. The report of the Innovation Taskforce being launched today is concerned with one of those action areas - which involves positioning Ireland as a Global Innovation Hub. 

I would now like to hand over to some Members of the Taskforce who, via a short video, will themselves explain their vision of what Ireland can achieve.

Ladies and Gentlemen, at the first meeting of the Innovation Taskforce, I set out my vision for the Ireland of the future. It will be a smart, high-value, export-led economy. It will have some of the world’s leading research-intensive multinationals, a number of which will be Irish-owned. 

It will have thousands of innovative small and medium enterprises. These companies will be creating the products and services of tomorrow for a world market.

The Innovation Taskforce has endorsed this vision.

To position Ireland as a Global Innovation Hub, we must make Ireland:

- the best place in Europe to turn research and knowledge into productsand services;

- the best place in Europe to start and grow an innovative company;

- the best place to relocate or expand and scale an SME; and

- the best place in Europe for research-intensive multinationals to collaborate with each other and with clusters of small companies.

If we do this successfully, the Taskforce estimates that in the order of 120,000 new jobs could be created by 2020 – as a minimum.

And Ireland can do this: many of the world’s leading multinationals already have operations here; we have built-up our research base over recent years;

We have a very high rate of entrepreneurship; we have a young, and increasingly well-educated population, and we offer an English-speaking, business-friendly location.

The Innovation Taskforce have shown ‘the glass is more than half full’ when it comes to Ireland’s potential.

But we need to re-focus and re-invigorate all parts of the “innovation ecosystem”. The focus of all efforts must be the entrepreneur and enterprise if we are to deliver a step-change in job creation we need.

The Report echoes many of the themes which emerged at the Global Economic Forum in Farmleigh last September – and we will be working with the new Global Irish Network to progress these ideas.

One of the Taskforce recommendations is that Ministers should undertake regular international visits to promote Ireland as an Innovation Hub.

In the next few days, I, and the members of the Government, will lead a major marketing effort around the world as part of St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The report of the Innovation Taskforce and its vision will be a central pillar of the message we will bring with us.

I will be bringing a positive message of hope and confidence about Ireland. I am going to tell everyone why I am confident and proud of Ireland; what we have to offer and what will be the source of our success for the future.

And the good news is that, in so many ways, we have the fundamentals of these success factors in place. We have not lost them at all in this recession. The foundations for economic growth are not destroyed, but are firmly in place, ready to be built on.

In their Report, the Taskforce has focused, correctly, on how we can now deliver a step-change in the level of company start-ups and job creation in innovative, export-focused sectors.

The Taskforce has made a wide range of recommendations including in the areas of investment in research and development, the higher education sector, access to Intellectual Property, public procurement, tax and other incentives, convergence and other opportunities for transforming existing companies, infrastructure and marketing.

The report contains many excellent ideas, as well as calling for reinforcement and better alignment of existing efforts and programmes.

The report suggests a roadmap for achieving our goal of making Ireland a Global Innovation Hub – I intend to ensure that we use it to deliver on that goal.

It won’t happen overnight.

It will require a re-prioritisation of resources at a difficult time.

We will need to adapt the strategy and respond to new challenges as we proceed.

Above all, it will require the different elements of the public and private sectors to work together effectively.

But it can be done. It must be done. And the Government is determined that it will happen.

Conclusion

As we take forward this work, I am very encouraged by the level of interest in the work of the Taskforce – as demonstrated by the number of submissions they received. It shows a level of energy which we need to capture as we start implementing this Report. 

In fact, I know that the Taskforce’s work has, by itself, already been an important stimulus to thinking and action by many organisations and individuals. In other words, the process itself has been important.

Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Taskforce members for their exceptional contribution of time and effort. This has resulted in a comprehensive, timely and very important report.

I can assure the Taskforce members that their work is of central importance in delivering the Government’s vision for Ireland’s economic renewal. Not least, the recommendations and vision in this Report are a timely input which will inform how we best align the structures and priority actions of Government as we continue on the road to economic renewal.

People say the best way to predict the future is to invent it. One of Ireland’s best attributes is our ability to be agile and to make quick decisions to get ahead of the game. We need to use that quality now, as we have in the past.

I will be working with my colleagues in Government to take forward the Taskforce’s recommendations as we seek to make Ireland a Global Innovation Hub.

Thank you very much