"Information Technologies the Spearhead of the New Irish Economy" – Tánaiste "Strategy an Integral Part of Government’s New Approach to Industrial Development" - Harney

"The use of advanced Information Communications Technologies has become the most significant driver of world economic growth and the Government has adopted measures to ensure that Ireland is to the forefront of this technological revolution," Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney said this evening (Monday 8th May, 2000).

The Tánaiste was speaking on the theme of "IT: Spearhead of the New Irish Economy" at the opening of the ATTIS 2000 (Air Travel and Transportation Systems) Conference at the Burlington Hotel Dublin. The three day conference and exhibition focuses on airline, airport and travel IT issues and is designed as a one stop shop for key decision makers in the industry.

Highlighting some of the initiatives taken by Government in the sector, the Tánaiste said "I recently launched the £560m Technology Foresight fund, the largest single investment ever in the history of the state in research and development. The fund will be used to establish Ireland as a centre of world class research excellence in the niche sectors of information and communications technologies and biotechnology. This strategy is an integral part of the Government’s new approach to industrial development."

The Tánaiste continued "Ireland is currently investing in international broadband connectivity which will give us 15 times the current capacity out of Ireland at one-tenth of existing unit cost levels. This increased capacity will be allied to low cost telecommunication charges driven by competition."

"The Government is also investing in the skills necessary to fuel new technological developments. A total of £411 million has been allocated to various educational initiatives designed to develop appropriate skills, to promote innovation, and to provide an additional 5,400 new third level college places in high technology courses over the next four years," the Tánaiste added.

"We are also introducing the necessary legislative framework to ensure the effective regulation of business conducted via these new electronic technologies. And we are taking measures to ensure the raising of awareness of the potential of E-business at all levels of the economy. For example, Enterprise Ireland have recently launched a £10m E-business fund to boost the number of Irish companies transacting business across electronic networks."

"The travel industry is well placed to take advantage of information and communications technologies and, indeed, much of the industry is already doing so. Much of the technology behind the innovative business solutions in use by the industry is powered by Irish based companies. Given this Government’s commitment to make IT the Spearhead of the New Irish Economy, there is probably no more appropriate location for a conference to look at these new trends than right here in Dublin," the Tánaiste concluded.