Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will make a statement on the recently published Strategic Plan for Irish Industry published by Enterprise Ireland. [18002/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The future development of Irish industry through innovation and internationalisation is a priority for me as Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. The enterprise strategy group's report, Ahead of the Curve — Ireland's Place in the Global Economy, provides a blueprint for the actions that need to be taken to secure and build on Ireland's position as a developed economy. Following Government consideration of the recommendations of the enterprise strategy group, I published an enterprise strategy group action plan. As part of that plan, I asked Enterprise Ireland to rethink creatively how to help business deliver on the core ESG recommendations.

In particular, I asked Enterprise Ireland to focus on how best to accelerate the development and internationalisation of Irish-owned business as a priority for future economic development. Enterprise Ireland's strategy, Transforming Irish Industry, which I launched on 4 May 2005, outlines the agency's response to the enterprise strategy group action plan. It clearly represents a major change in approach. The strategy will, I believe, make a substantial contribution to the further internationalisation of Irish companies in an increasingly knowledge driven global economy.

Ireland is at a turning point in its economic development. Irish companies must increasingly compete through innovation, superior market knowledge and a relentless focus on productivity gains and increased automation. We will need to see substantially increased levels of applied research in Irish firms and must foster an environment where there exists a close working relationship between companies and third level colleges. To be successful, companies need to be outward looking in their development strategies. Enterprise Ireland will partner with business to harness the undoubted development opportunities, which global markets offer. This, I believe, is where Enterprise Ireland can add real value.

Enterprise Ireland has now undertaken a complete re-engineering of its overseas network and marketing supports, both in terms of business process and organisation structure, with a clear focus on client need. Specific deliverables have been set out in its strategy in terms of export growth, €3 billion in new export sales over three years, achieving substantially increased levels of applied research in Irish firms, doubling to 1,050 the number of Irish firms carrying out meaningful research and development, that is, greater than €100,000 annually, and driving entrepreneurship to deliver greater numbers of new high growth companies with strong export potential and increased employment opportunities to every region of the country — 210 high potential start-ups by year end 2007.

I am satisfied that the strategy is appropriate, necessary and achievable and will position Irish industry as a key driver of Irish economic growth, jobs and wealth creation in an increasingly competitive global environment. Mindful of the immediate competitive pressures facing Irish companies, I also recently announced the establishment of the Enterprise Ireland productivity improvement fund with a total budget of €20 million until the end of 2006 to assist Irish industry in its ongoing drive for efficiency and economic competitiveness.

In supporting Irish industry Enterprise Ireland does not exist in a vacuum and therefore partnership with other State bodies, with CEBs and with academic and research institutions will be vital to future success.