Address by Mr Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce at the Presentation of the National Enterprise Awards on Tuesday, 24th November 1998 at 12.30pm in Moran's Red Cow Hotel and Conference Centre

I am delighted to be here with you all, this afternoon and to have been asked to present the 1998 National Enterprise Awards. These Awards, which were an initiative of the County and City Enterprise Boards, with sponsorship from the private sector, were first introduced in 1997, to promote a greater awareness of the achievements of small business.

The event has been a great success in 1997, with a large number of entries, reflecting a range of activities in the manufacturing and service sectors.

Last year the Competition was open only to businesses, which had obtained direct financial assistance from Boards. This year, I'm pleased to say, that the remit was widened to embrace any enterprise, which had either received direct or indirect financial support, from its Local Enterprise Board.

The climax of the competition today, will lead to much-deserved recognition and appreciation for the prize-winners from their peers and those in the business of supporting business.

I would like to pay special tribute to the County and City Enterprise Boards, for their wonderful initiative, in introducing this imaginative Awards scheme, which provides much needed recognition for the substantial growth in small business which has been experienced in recent years. The Boards themselves have contributed significantly to the upsurge in new business activity, through an imaginative range of support Services and financial assistance. Over 8,000 projects have been approved by the Enterprise Boards and over 11,000 new jobs created, in CEB-assisted enterprises between 1993 and 1997.

I am delighted to say that the Enterprise Boards have already well exceeded their job creation target to date and by the end of 1999, will comprehensively exceed the 1994 to 1999 job creation target of 8,000 jobs, laid down for them in the structural funds programme, under which they are co-financed.

The broad range of sectors represented here today, reflects the "long reach" of the various Enterprise Boards and the capability which they and their Staff have developed, over the past six years, in supporting enterprise development and their delivery of these services at local level. I look forward to this capability being broadened and deepened over the coming years and I am very confident that the local enterprise effort will continue to grow and prosper.

While the national climate for enterprise, has been helpful, due acknowledgement must be paid to the people, who take the risks, the people who put their hearts and souls into starting a small business. These Awards provide valuable recognition to the many small businesses, which the County Enterprise Boards have supported over the years. They highlight the importance to national economy and to our business culture of the need for people, to be willing and able to start their own Business. It is vital that we continue, through Awards such as this, to foster and encourage enterprise and small business in Ireland. The National Enterprise Awards 1998, is a gateway to the public acknowledgement so richly deserved by Ireland's small entrepreneurs.

These National Enterprise Awards, also serve to identify and promote "Role Models" which are important in highlighting entrepreneurship, as a career path. The publicity generated in the local and national media, stimulates discussion on enterprise and lends a sense of purpose to those, who are planning a start-up or a business expansion.

I would like to thank the Bank of Ireland and the Sunday Business Post for their collaboration and support in this project and look forward to their continued interest and support for enterprise development. I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to the Sub-Committee of Chief Executive Officers, Maria Callinan from Laois, Tom Broderick from Wicklow and Ronan Dennedy from Louth, who were instrumental in organising this years' Competition.

Indeed the valiant work of each and every Enterprise Board, must be acknowledged. Today we celebrate the result of their efforts; which is clearly evident with the examples of the successful companies with us, this afternoon. I congratulate everyone concerned in today's Award celebration and wish you all continued success and Enterprise achievement in the future.