Innovation is the key to export success, junior trade minister Mr Michael Ahern told the Irish Exporters Association last night. Speaking at the association's annual dinner in Cork, the Minister said that, "by embracing the challenges of the future, we can and will ensure that Ireland will keep its position as an economic success story".

Mr Ahern said the Government was committed to delivering the "best possible support to the exporting industry".

"Without international sales, our capacity for growth would be very limited, given the scale of the domestic economy," he said. "The Government is well aware of this."

He noted that exports were increasing again this year "after a difficult period" last year, with more than a third of all exports coming from the pharmaceutical and chemical sector, which is centred in Cork.

He welcomed the recent Enterprise Strategy Group report, whose publication recognised the need to review strategy alongside infrastructure.