A new structure for collaboration between industry and third-level institutions is vital if Ireland is to maintain its strong multinational base, a conference in Dublin heard yesterday.
"We need a structure which brings together the research and commercialisation expertise which currently exists in Ireland," said Mr Ciaran Ennis, American Chamber of Commerce president, "and not only with our third-level institutions but also companies collaborating with each other."
Mr Ennis was addressing a conference organised by IBEC and the American Chamber of Commerce entitled "Collaboration to Commercialisation".
He said success in this area would be fundamental to the next phase of Ireland's growth. "If we are to maintain our current strong base of US and other overseas-owned companies in Ireland, attract new investment and continue the development of a strong base of Irish high-tech companies, we must develop this new model of collaboration."
He said this would see third-level institutions and industry work "hand in glove on the research, development and commercialisation process".
Mr Gerry McCrohan, head of AIB Corporate Banking Ireland said there was no reason why Ireland could not become the European hub for collaboration and research. Enterprise, Trade & Employment Minister, Mr Martin, reiterated that Ireland was making a huge effort to close the research gap between it and other countries.
