NASC (West Ireland European Liaison) held their annual conference in The Central Hotel, Donegal Town last Thursday, 11th May. The theme of this year’s conference was “Regional Competitiveness and Innovation”/“Nuálaíocht agus Iomaíocht Réigiúnach”.
NASC (the Gaelic word meaning Link) is a regional partnership and comprises the County Councils for Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Galway City Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the National University of Ireland, Galway and the West Regional Authority. Established in 1992, NASC contributes to policy at regional, national and European levels and is the preferred network through which the partners work together on European projects of common interest. With the support of its Brussels office NASC develops its partners’ links with EU institutions and regions throughout Europe.
The conference was organised by the Liaison Officers Group within NASC in co-operation with the Community & Enterprise Directorate of Donegal County Council. During the course of the day an impressive line-up of local, regional, national and international contributors addressed very topical policy issues for all NASC partner organisations. Presentations were given by Mr. Michael McLoone-County Manager, Dr. Patricia Postigo McLaughlin-DG Research, European Commission, Mr. Joe Greaney-Westbic, Mr. Rory Hynes-Enterprise Equity, Mr. Pearse Flynn-Contact4, Mr. Mark Fielding-ISME, Dr. Kathryn Cormican-Industrial Engineering, NUI Galway, An tUasal Séamus MacEochaidh, Údarás na Gaeltacht.
Clr. Dessie Larkin, County Mayor opened the conference, remarking that “Innovation and Competitiveness are at the heart of the EU policy agenda for growth and employment and that it is most appropriate that these are the topics of this year’s NASC annual conference”.
The County Manager stated “ the challenge that faces Ireland in order to sustain competitiveness is to invest in research, education and innovation, which are recognized as the core elements that will contribute to economic growth and employment”.
Dr. Patricia Postigo McLaughlin, DG Research, European Union outlined the important role of Research and Development in achieving Regional Competitiveness and Innovation. She stated “Research is a priority for Structural Funds in 2007-2013 with EU Research funds increasing from €4800m/year to €7750m/year”. She informed the conference that on average the EU R&D investment is just reaching 2% of GDP with Ireland at 1.14%, which is below the EU average.
Mr. Pearse Flynn, Contact4 outlined the strategy of his company which has contact centres in Gweedore, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Campbeltown, Mull of Kintyre. He identified good quality personnel as being their distinct competitive advantage.
The underlying message from this conference is that due to our relative prosperity, no part of Ireland, from 2007 onwards, will be afforded priority status regarding the allocation of Structural Funds, thus the level of EU funding is expected to decline considerably.
Ireland faces considerable development challenges going forward, particularly at regional level. Chief among these is the need to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly globalised economy. This necessarily requires a greater focus on innovation, particularly at the enterprise level, which has major implications for the strategies of our development agencies”.
Ireland must produce and retain sufficient innovative people with the relevant knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial flair to enable us to be successful as a region, and to survive in turbulent markets.