Address by Mr. Minister Ahern, Minister for Innovation Policy at the 10^th CEB National Enterprise Awards

6^th November 2007

Chief Executives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to have been invited to address the County and City Enterprise Boards’ National Enterprise Awards for 2007 here tonight in the splendid surroundings of Dublin Castle. Indeed I am particularly pleased to have been asked to join in the celebration of your 10^th Anniversary.

This is my first occasion to present such Awards and I am impressed by the multiplicity and diversity of enterprises represented here tonight. This truly reflects the wonderful level of entrepreneurial initiative and success that is to be experienced in Ireland today. Events such as this evening, showcase both the quality of our entrepreneurs and the excellence of the Enterprise Boards’ work during the year.

These Awards are a fitting occasion for celebration of entrepreneurial endeavour and pride in achievement.

This national event is a highpoint of your annual calendar and is the culmination of Enterprise Board sponsored promotional activities. I am gratified to see that the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship is thriving across the country.

Awards such as this also play an important role in reinforcing a positive attitude towards enterprise and entrepreneurship. The benefits of entrepreneurship, both economically and socially, are well established, particularly in terms of driving our national economy and development.

Ireland is currently ranked 3^rd in the EU for early-stage entrepreneurial activity. The 2006 Report by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, (or GEM for short), finds that 7.4% of the adult population in Ireland is actively planning, or has recently established, a new business.

Ireland is now an entrepreneurial country. Last year, 5 in every 100 adults were trying to start a new business, and 8 in every 100 people in Ireland own or manage a business for more than 4 years.

Small business accounts for just over 50 per cent of employment in the enterprise sector in Ireland. Many are part of an essential infrastructure support to the larger and foreign investment operations established here. The ‘Micro’-enterprises among them can also be the seedbed of high-growth enterprises of the future.

The Government supports small enterprise development through the City and County Enterprise network and through Enterprise Ireland – thereby demonstrating its faith in the good work being done by the Boards and Enterprise Ireland over the years.

Since their inception 14 years ago, the County and City Enterprise Boards have become well established as the locally-based support to the ‘micro’- enterprise sector. Their consistent approach to the encouragement and support of enterprise start-up and entrepreneurs at local level, is vital to future enterprise development. Tonight’s finalists are a small representation of the many good quality business projects that are supported by Enterprise Boards nationwide.

Entrepreneurial Awards Ceremonies have become popular and engaging in recent years. We can, however, take this opportunity to remind ourselves that our CEB’s have been doing this since 1997.

Tonight we also celebrate 10 years of the recognition of success by ‘micro’- enterprises.

Previous years’ winners and finalists have gone on the become household names, such as Irish Yogurts and Castle Leslie. Three other winners have gone on to either represent Ireland or actually win the overall International title.

This 10-year Anniversary is an opportune time to reflect on the success stories of other finalists.

Previous winners such as Glass & Cladding Technology and Midland Precision Tool & Die went on to represent Ireland in the World Enterprise Awards in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

Previous winners ‘The Hot Irishman’ and ‘Grouse Lodge’ took first place each in the 2003 and 2004 World Young Business Achievers Award.

And, as an example of business growth, the winners from last year - Modern Timber Homes of Donegal - have since progressed to employing over 50 staff and have set up a second manufacturing company.

So that all reflects very positively on the previous awards winners. To this year’s finalists I say ‘Well Done’ in getting this far. In congratulating you, I must also acknowledge that this evening is a culmination for you of a competitive Award scheme, through which you have been selected to represent your County, no mean achievement in itself. Indeed, in the past 10 years the CEB’s have witnessed the ever-growing competition by enterprises for this Award.

While it is important to recognise and salute the successes of our small enterprises, it is the participation in the competition process that helps to focus the collective effort of all those involved with the business. I am conscious that while an enterprise owner will be honoured by receiving the Award, it is also a recognition of the focussed contribution of a workplace team of colleagues. I am sure this Award competition instils a sense of pride in your own achievements and of the employees of the enterprise.

The resulting recognition you receive through Press and Media publicity, can only lead on to a greater awareness of your company and product.

The National Enterprise Awards also helps to showcase and recognise the sustaining contribution that small business makes to the local economy. Let me assure you that the Government is committed to supporting and developing this contribution, both now and into the future.

There is a new Corporate Social Responsibility Award tonight which seeks to recognise efforts in this area.

Corporate Social Responsibility is a challenge to us all to think beyond our routine confines and to look afresh at how our business activity impacts on our world. It compels us to question our business practices and to explore whether we can do things better, whether we can make more of our resources - human, environmental and material. It is not a philanthropic pursuit but rather a sound means of driving a business forward and sustaining its output and potential, largely through innovation.

A commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility which is now a well-recognised and valued aspect of the Irish business landscape can help to distinguish a company from its competitors and enhance customer and employee loyalties with direct impacts on the bottom line.

In concluding, I congratulate each and every one of you here tonight - you are all “Winners”. All of you have shown the strength and determination required to succeed in your chosen enterprise. This in turn has resulted in your selection for tonight’s Awards.

I am also pleased to note our Master of Ceremonies, Mr Bryan Dobson is with us once more tonight. Bryan’s professionalism and standing make him an honoured addition to this annual occasion. Could I also acknowledge the panel of judges who have had the unenviable task of selecting tonight’s winners!

Finally, let me wish all Finalists here tonight ‘Good Luck’ in the Awards and long-lasting success and growth in your future business – each of you are making an extremely valuable contribution to Ireland’s continued economic development.

Thank you.

ENDS/IP19