Remarks by the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., at the Launch of Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions Friday 16 July 2010 Grand Canal Theatre Dublin

A Aire O'Keeffe, A Uachtaráin, agus a Dhaoine Uaisle,

Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo inniu ag Amharclann Grand Canal chun an cúigiú babhta den Chlár um Thaighde in Institiúidí Tríú Leibhéal (PRTLI) a sheoladh. Is láthair oiriúnach é an Amharclann nua seo i don seoladh seo. Is sampla é athnuachan an cheantair seo, agus go amharclann féin den tionchar dearfach atá ag baint le hinfheistíocht phoiblí agus phríobháideach.

Inniu táimid ag seoladh an PRTLI, clár suntasach eile d'infheistíocht i ndaoine óga, i bpoist agus i todhchaí na hÉireann.

Minister O'Keeffe, Presidents, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here today in the Grand Canal Theatre to launch the fifth round of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, or PRTLI.

This announcement is another clear signal that we are confident about the future of our country.

As with the launch earlier this week in New York of Innovation Fund Ireland, we are signalling our confidence - to ourselves and to the world - with concrete measures to support our economy and create new jobs.

The Government's plan for economic recovery has three pillars - correcting the public finances, reforming and restoring the banking system and building a sustainable, competitive smart economy.

Today is about enhancing competitiveness through investing in the productive capacity of the economy and the future of all of our young people.

The massive investment of €360m in our national research capacity is another key step forward.

It builds on the previous four cycles of investment under PRTLI that has seen an unprecedented transformation in the R&D facilities available to our young people in our higher education institutions.

That research capacity leads to direct employment in research institutions.

It enables our researchers to innovate and to operate at the highest level internationally in their fields of excellence.

More broadly, it creates a environment of excellence and achievement which can inspire all of the young people in higher education, whatever their field of study.

And, crucially, it fosters the climate of collaboration between industry and higher education that is fundamental to turning research into products and services that we can sell and that will create jobs for our people.

It is fitting that this launch is taking place here in the Dublin Docklands.

The rejuvenation of this area, and indeed this magnificent theatre, are examples of the positive legacy of public and private investment in infrastructure over recent years.

I returned last night from the United States where I emphasised that the recovery in Ireland is underway.
Everywhere I went, I met with influential and experienced business and political leaders who understand that Ireland has taken the right decisions and that we acted quickly and decisively in the face of the global recession.
We took the right decisions and are now coming out of the crisis.
Our focus now is on maximising sustainable growth and job creation.
An important part of our strategy - Building Ireland's Smart Economy - is to transform Ireland into a Global Innovation Hub.
Today we are providing for some of the essential infrastructure to achieve that goal.
The investment of €360 million in research and innovation is about creating and protecting sustainable Irish jobs.
This investment, one of the largest ever in research and innovation, will create jobs and drive economic growth in a number of ways.
Nearly 2,000 construction-related jobs will be created immediately through capital investment in buildings, laboratories and other physical infrastructure. Nearly 400 jobs will be directly created through the projects themselves.
However, much more importantly, the projects being supported are in areas of strategic importance to Ireland's economic development.
They are in sectors and initiatives which have been highlighted by the Innovation Taskforce, the High Level Group on Green Enterprise and others as areas where we can create new businesses and jobs.
For example, many will help to drive convergence of technologies - a key area of potential for Ireland given the clusters of multi-national companies which are already here.
We are encouraging initiatives which bring together culture, creativity and innovation. These are Irish attributes particularly highlighted by participants at the Global Economic Forum held in Farmleigh last year.
We are funding a number of projects supporting infrastructure for the green economy.
We are supporting projects which ensure Collaboration and Alliances in the Higher Education sector.
Over the past decade, Ireland established a strong research environment and built scientific excellence in strategic areas.
However, as the Innovation Taskforce pointed out, we now need to translate this investment into sustainable jobs and economic growth. We need to strengthen links between our research institutions and industry to ensure that we develop, transfer and apply knowledge in productive ways.
Many of these investments will drive and develop industry-academic collaboration - and we need that strong focus on commercialisation of research and close relationships with enterprise.
Concluding remarks

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have faced, head on, the worst global recession in the history of the State.

The Government has taken and implemented the right decisions.

All sectors of the economy and the public have had to adapt and make sacrifices.

And more difficult decisions lie ahead.

But, while we face significant challenges, we are turning the corner and have shown that can re-emerge from recession with a stronger and more sustainable economy than before.

The Government is showing its confidence and commitment for the future through the investment being announced today, despite the continuing financial pressures.

In the months and years to come, we will see the benefits in terms of sustainable jobs, start-up companies and the creation of exciting new products and services.

In a few minutes, we will see real examples of this investment in action, when we hear from some of the people whose work is supported by PRTLI.

Their successes, their excellence and their ambition speak most eloquently of how our country can forge ahead to a successful future.

I will now invite the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, who is responsible for the Programme, to say a few words.

ENDS