Introduction
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
I’m delighted to be with you here today at the opening of the Kilkenny Research and Innovation Centre. I would like to thank Joe Crockett, Kilkenny County Manager, for inviting me to open this very impressive R&D Centre.
I would like to thank St Kieran’s College Trust led by Bishop Seamus Freeman for its contribution to bringing this Centre into being.
I would like to congratulate Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology for their collaboration in creating this outstanding Research and Innovation Centre.
The contributions made by Dr Willie Donnelly and the two Presidents Dr Ruaidhrí Neavyn and Dr Patricia Mulcahy have been particularly note-worthy and you are to be commended for your efforts.
It is testament to your vision and commitment to turn a good idea into something tangible, positive and real for the enterprise base here in the South-East.
Without doubt, this Centre has the potential to make a big impact on a range of critical sectors.
Kilkenny Research and Innovation Centre
Today’s opening embodies the collaborative dynamic that my Government has been striving to cultivate in science and innovation. We value the close partnership with higher educational institutions, industry and state agencies in achieving this goal.
As I mentioned in my visit to Waterford IT at the end of March, it is not a surprise to see good things happening when you place smart people in the right environment.
Today is further evidence that our research and innovation effort is delivering for Ireland.
I understand that the Kilkenny Centre replicates the very successful WIT Telecommunications Software and Systems Group model which has generated over 400 jobs with the support of the South East Enterprise Programme. I am very confident that this Centre will generate sustainable jobs for the people of Kilkenny and surrounding areas.
Recent jobs announcements
In recent months, numerous multinational companies have shown their confidence in Ireland by committing to new investments here that will create thousands of jobs.
With this Centre that we are launching today, there is a significant opportunity to develop further on the research capacity in Financial Services that can lead to new High Potential Startups and additional employment in the region.
Already there is existing critical mass here in Kilkenny in the area of Financial Services, where companies such as State Street and Taxback, are already performing well.
For our part, Government is intent on supporting our academic and business communities on R&D, and this is primarily being achieved through the implementation of our Action Plan for Jobs.
Action Plan for Jobs
The critical point to stress here is that research underpins so much of what is happening in the technology sector.
Indeed, having a strong R&D backbone is a primary reason why prospective investors are noticing us and choosing to come here, invest here, work here.
Without the appropriate R&D credentials, commercialisation potential diminishes. That is why R&D forms a central pillar of our Action Plan for Jobs.
As part of this Action Plan for Jobs, the Research Prioritisation Exercise identifies 14 priority areas with potential for employment and commercialisation of research.
These areas of research feed directly into this Centre’s priority area of next-generation internet development for the financial services and also importantly for the agricultural sector. The dots are joined, so to speak.
Over the past 15 years, Ireland has been repositioned, taking centre stage in the world of scientific research.
We can now genuinely say, with pride, that we have a credible science base, largely built up through the significant investments made by Government.
We are punching well above our weight in a number of fields and we have consolidated our position within the top-20 countries in the world for the quality of our scientific research.
Furthermore, there has been a significant increase in scientific collaborations between academics and industry, both at home and abroad. Today extends the potential to expand on this even further.
For Ireland’s economy – the seeds of recovery are being to sprout, and innovation is assisting that process.
Yes, it is difficult path – and sometimes progress is not as fast as we’d all like it to be.
However as a small country with a very open economy, clearly we need to focus on a number of niche areas where we can genuinely compete with the best, and be successful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I appreciate that today is a very significant development for Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology.
I also think it’s somewhat fitting that, with such a strong, forward-looking, ‘next generation’ theme to today, that this development has been supported by St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny a renowned hurling nursery for future stars and a training ground for today’s big names.
So there is clearly something in the air that is conducive to success on the field – and, I have no doubt, this will be the case in the field of science and ongoing enterprise development!
I want to offer my sincere congratulations to all involved in this state-of-the-art resource.
Thank you and I wish you all well in your ongoing endeavours.
ENDS