Celebrating Irish Entrepreneurial Energy

The importance for Ireland as a nation to focus on developing an entrepreneurial economy was stressed by Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher, T.D. at the presentation of National Enterprise Awards 2009.

"These awards which are sponsored by the County and City Enterprise Boards are now in their 12th year. They are a celebration of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship and they allow us to acknowledge the energy of small enterprise in the Irish economy and the energy and capabilities of Irish entrepreneurs," said Minister Kelleher.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Dublin Castle last night, the Minister congratulated the winners of this year's awards -- the overall award was scooped by Callan Technology Ltd from Co. Clare, who design, manufacture and export industrial motors for international manufacturing companies.

Dermot O' Shea from Taoglas Ltd in Wexford, who provide radio frequency solutions for the wireless communications industry, took the runner-up award.

The other finalists who were short-listed this year were Tony Broderick from Danelle Recycling in Carlow; Paul Clarke from Gilmore Clarke Electrical in Cavan; Denis Sheridan from D.S. Environmental Services Ltd in Donegal; Joy Moore from Oldtown Hill Bakehouse in Kilkenny; Barry Usher from Usher Aviation in Sligo and Ken McNevin and Stephen Nolan from Robotic and Drives Services in Westmeath.

Minister Kelleher stated: "We are confronted daily with gloom and doom across the media, throughout the political system and at the basic level of carrying out our daily activities as citizens. We are in a a grave situation so gloom and doom can be expected. 

"However we must counter balance this with some positive news and with showcasing business successes. Our success in moving out of the current recession will rely heavily on our capacity to sustain and develop businesses and to trade across international markets."

Minister Kelleher pointed to recent indicators that suggest Ireland may have seen a decrease in the rate of economic contraction and may be reaching the bottom of the cycle and beginning to head out of recession.  

He pointed out that the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor or GEM report for 2008 indicated that an average of 2,800 people establish business in Ireland every month and that, at 4.3%, the Irish entrepreneurial start-up rate is higher than the EU or OECD average, and just below the traditionally high level in the US.   

Minister Kelleher explained that the Government's strategy for medium-term economic recovery was based around the concept of developing a smart economy and was committed to enterprise development. 

"Innovation, and the ability to generate and exploit new ideas, is the new focus of this enterprise development, and ultimately crucial to our continued economic and social progress," he said.

The Minister said the Government's Budget on December 9th next would be key to addressing their remaining priority concern of reducing public expenditures and significant savings would have to be achieved across a range of expenditures, including the public sector pay budget.  He said he did not see the issue as a divide between the interests of the public sector against the needs of the private sector and was disappointed by attempts to portray it as such.  

"Here tonight, we have a classic example of public sector and private sector co-operation and assistance to the mutual benefit of Ireland.  We should build on our strengths and avoid fostering division between public and private sector interests," Minister Kelleher stated.