Address by Mr Noel Treacy T.D., Minister for Science, Technology & Commerce at the PLAN EXPO Product Awards in Simmonscourt, RDS, on Thursday 4th November, 1999 at 4.30 p.m.

I am delighted to be with you to-day to present the Plan Expo Product Awards. These Awards are presented during the three day Plan Expo Conference, which is a showcase for the entire construction and built environment industries.

The importance of this exhibition is highlighted by the degree of co-operation and support which it attracts across the entire construction sector from the architects, through all of the specialist groups, to the builders. I am delighted to hear that this year it brings more than 200 exhibitors with innovative solutions, now so necessary due to the massive increase in demand resulting from the continued growth of our national economy.

I know that these Awards are highly prized and are recognised by all as a mark of quality and distinction. They are the most sought-after and valued awards within Ireland’s construction sector, and cover architectural, construction, building services and interior design applications. Of course apart from the prestige the awards bestow on a product, there are also the very tangible commercial benefits for the companies involved.

I am delighted that this year, entry numbers for these Awards has reached an unprecedented high at 125. This represents their growing popularity. Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important in all sectors of modern life, including in the Construction Industry. The fact that the organisers of Plan Expo recognised this and introduced a ‘Green’ category Award last year is evidence of their willingness to respond to societal concerns. I am encouraged by the great interest in this new category, which I am told attracted 20 entries.

I understand, that my Government colleague Minister Seamus Brennan earlier to-day performed the official opening of Plan Expo. As Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce I want to focus, my address to you today, on to the economic role of the Construction Industry and the importance of Innovation to its development.

The Construction Industry is one of the most important sectors for a modern economy. In the European Union this sector represents a quarter of the total industrial output. Some 2.7 million enterprises directly and indirectly employ almost 30 million people.

The Irish Construction Industry employs in excess of 130,000 people in direct construction activities, with a further 50,000 employed in construction product manufacturing and supply. It is worth £10bn per annum or 19% of GNP. These figures alone mean that it is a significant player in the economic life of our country and its output is now significantly bigger than that of the agricultural and tourism sectors.

However, in addition to this, construction affects the overheads of other industrial and commercial activities. For example international competitiveness can be improved with better construction productivity and efficiency. A change towards lower costs, sustainability, higher levels of comfort and quality in buildings and related products can only be achieved through Research, Technological development and Innovation.

Innovation is the vital ingredient that will give Irish industry the edge in these highly competitive times. The globalisation of markets bring us many opportunities and challenges. We can now access much larger markets to sell our products but our products must be able to compete with those from low-cost, low-wage economies.

I am convinced that the companies who will be most successful in this environment are those forward-looking companies, where a culture of innovation is embraced - innovation based on the successful application of Science and Technology. This Government is committed to partnering companies in this regard, because our continued economic growth depends on our industrial competitiveness. The Industrial Development Agencies operate a range of schemes on behalf of our Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which are aimed at assisting companies research and develop products that will generate their future profits and perhaps even their very survival.

I am delighted that Plan Expo celebrates all that is innovative and forward-looking in the Construction, Architectural and Interior Design Sectors. For this reason I am particularly pleased that it should be taking place so close to our Science Week Ireland. During the Week, which this year takes place from next Sunday next, the 7th November to the following Sunday, the 14th of November. People of all ages will be given a special opportunity to explore and experience Science and Technology through hundreds of events held nation-wide. The various individual events are organised by members of the S&T community, whether employed in industry, academia, State sector, community or other groups.

Not only do events such as this demonstrate the excitement of Science and Technology, they also are a testament to the increasingly central role which it plays in modern life whether it be at our workplace, in our homes or in our leisure activities. Indeed many of the products on show here today would not have been possible without Scientific and Technological development. I believe that by increasing awareness of the importance and relevance of Science and Technology we will as a nation also increase our scientific and technological literacy. This will allow Ireland to be ready to exploit future challenges.

The central message for this Week is “Science for a Successful Ireland” and its three messages are that Science, Technology and Innovation develop:

• Creativity in our children.
• Exciting career options, and
• Leading edge industry and skilled jobs.

In fact, one of the key reasons that I am so keen on this initiative is that it will help to ensure that the future skills needs of our internationally competitive high tech sector will be met.

This year as a Minister representing a rural constituency it is my aim to ensure that Science Week Ireland is celebrated equally as well in the Regions as in the Capital, so that wherever you live in Ireland, Science Week is guaranteed to have something to offer all of the family. I wanted to ensure that Science Week Ireland would be just that – an Awareness Programme that covers the entire country.

I am delighted therefore that in addition to the Galway Festival which is holding its 2nd Galway Science & Technology Festival from 31 October – 7 November, other cities, particularly Cork, Waterford and Limerick, have also taken up the challenge to give a specific Regional focus to the Week.

I would urge the Plan Expo audience here today to attend some of the events planned in their area during the course of the week. The wide range of these is a tribute to the creativity and enterprise of the companies, universities, colleges, community and other groups who have taken up the exciting challenge of bringing Science and Technology to the people. There really is something for everyone in the family!

Before concluding, I would like to thank all of the organisers of this event today and the panel of judges who had the unenviable task of selecting only one winner for each of the five categories of award from the many very impressive applications. Finally I would like to thank the applicants for demonstrating to the public, in advance of Science Week Ireland, the high level of imaginative and innovative work being carried out in this exciting sector. Long may it continue.

And now, without further ado, I am very happy to present the Awards to the deserving winners: