Seanad debates
Friday, 4 July 2003
Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages.
The considerable amount of money made available by the Government, which has now been allocated to universities, is being extremely well spent. A joint venture between NUI Galway and Hewlett-Packard in Galway city involves one of the most advanced pieces of technology in the area. Universities are highly significant in terms of job creation. By way of illustration, some time ago I sat with the president of Siebel Systems, probably one of the top software companies in the world, and asked him the reason the company located in Galway. He told me that, at the time the company was choosing a European location, it was looking at Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and Ireland. Having spent half a day in NUI Galway and GMIT, the company decided to locate in Galway. What better endorsement of our education system and our young students could we have than to have them as key factors in Siebel Systems locating here? This foundation will add considerably to our ability to be at the leading edge.
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