The first ever all–island innovation awards have taken place in Dublin today.

The All-Island Innovation Awards, established by Invest NI, Forfás and InterTradeIreland, recognise exciting leading edge innovation by companies across the island of Ireland.

Representing Northern Ireland at the ceremony, Economy Minister, Ian Pearson, alongside Irish counterpart Mary Harney, said innovation was "backed by all parts of Government at the highest level" in the province.

He added: "To be effective, innovation has to be implemented where it matters most – in companies both large and small, and throughout industry, regardless of sector. The 100, or so, companies that entered this year’s competition are all exemplars of innovation, but today’s winners are exceptional.

“Our continued efforts to increase the level of industrial R&D undertaken in Northern Ireland are already bearing fruit. Statistics released recently show that there has been an increase of 45% in business R&D expenditure since 1999, and that there were the equivalent of 2,480 whole time employees working in R&D in 2001, an increase of 13% increase compared to 1999.

“Expenditure per R&D employee at £62,500 in 2001 was also some 33% higher than in 1999. In fact last year Northern Ireland had the highest growth in Research and Development expenditure across the UK, with an increase of 45% in business R&D expenditure.

“To further underscore our commitment to innovation and research and development, we have recently published a consultation document for a new Regional Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland.

“Entitled ‘think create innovate’, the draft strategy identifies a series of actions to build on our R&D and innovation strengths and address its weaknesses. The strategy will aim to ensure that there is a joined up approach to a subject which is of central importance to DETI and Invest NI. It will provide a strategic framework for action by all the key stakeholders – government, academia and the private sector.”

The Minister highlighted the growing importance of the all-island dimension in key infrastructural areas, such as energy and telecommunications.

He concluded: “Business and industry all over Ireland are facing the same global challenges. In future, therefore, it will be very important to maximise technology transfer and industry/academia linkages on a North/South basis."

The Minister said he hoped that with the merging of these competitions on an all-island basis, these awards would become one of the most prestigious, and keenly contested, business awards on the island.

(MB)