Keynote Address by Mr Noel Treacy T.D.Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce at the Communications, Software Systems and Networks (CSSN) Conference

Athlone Institute Of TechnologyTuesday 4 September 2001 at 10 am

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Athlone for this inaugural Communications, Software Systems and Networks Conference. I understand that the CSSN is the largest of the Thematic Networks established by TecNet to facilitate researchers from the Institutes of Technology in exchanging information and developing collaborative projects.

I would like to congratulate the CSSN Network on organising this conference and assembling a distinguished group of speakers and presenters. In an industry dependent on connectivity, it is very welcome to see a conference that acknowledges - and builds upon - the strong links which already exist between the third level sector and ICT enterprises.

Over the next two days, you will hear experts from the Institutes of Technology and other research organisations presenting the results, and outlining the progress of their research, in advanced information technologies, systems and applications. You will also have the opportunity to hear the views of industry about the development of the E-generation or new economy, ranging from mobile communications to new software technologies, from patents and licensing to e-commerce policy.

It is very appropriate that a conference which places so much emphasis upon connections should take place in Athlone. Just over a millennium ago, in AD 1000 King Cathal Uí Concubhair of Connacht built one of the first bridges across the river Shannon at this site. Almost seven hundred years later, Athlone had become such a strategic gateway to the West of Ireland that King William of Orange subjected this town to a ferocious pounding in an effort to seize control of Connacht from the Jacobites. Fast forward another three hundred years to the present day, and Athlone retains its strategic importance as a major road, railway and industrial hub.

The Athlone Institute of Technology, which is hosting this conference, plays a very important role in this town's current and future development. To those of us who know and have had dealings with the Athlone IT such foresight does not come as a surprise. The history of this Institute, from its modest beginnings in 1970 to today's flourishing campus, with over 4500 students and staff, demonstrates how the growth of an Institute of Technology can contribute to - and in turn benefit from - the growth of local industry.

Athlone is not an isolated case. Over the past decade, the role of the Institutes of Technology has developed in line with our developing economy. While their primary aim is still to provide education and training to meet rapidly changing skills needs, the Institutes have, in recent years, become more active in supporting regional economic development and the development of indigenous industry. They are now recognised as a vital component of the innovation system in each region of our country. It is particularly important to support the development of closer links between the Institutes and indigenous industry. These links can take many forms including formal alliances, Innovation Partnerships with industry, the encouragement of high growth and high technology businesses and the development of entrepreneurial skills among graduates.

Such co-operation not only serves macro-economic needs, it also has enormous spin-off benefits for the Institutes themselves. Liaison with industrial and commercial organisations helps to ensure the relevance and technological competence of courses at the Institutes, and enhances the employment prospects of graduates.

There is general acceptance that in a knowledge based economy, innovation and the development of new products and processes are critical to enterprise success and economic growth. Research is an essential element of the foundation on which innovation is built. Under our National Development Plan, covering the period up to 2006, this Government is providing an unprecedented level of funding for research activities. £1.9 billion (or 2.49 billion Euro) is being devoted to Schemes designed to support Research, Technological Development and Innovation (RTDI).

One of the most impressive indicators of the development of the Institutes of Technology is their growing role in supporting National efforts in RTDI. The various schemes being operated by Enterprise Ireland under the National Development Plan offer significant incentives to the Institutes of Technology to become involved in collaboration activities with local industry.

Under the Innovation Partnerships programme Enterprise Ireland provides generous levels of support for applied research projects carried out in collaboration between industry, particularly SMEs, and the Institutes. One of the most exciting new measures for the Institutes in the NDP is the provision of funding for Incubation and R&D Centres in ITs, which will provide them with the infrastructure to grow campus companies and other new high-potential, high tech companies.

Since it became operational in September 2000, the Technology Network Initiative, or TecNet for short, has already proved itself an important catalyst for innovation and knowledge based economic development in the regions. TecNet provides a useful vehicle to help each individual Institute gain the maximum benefit from the national and international support which is available and thereby input to both regional and national social and economic development.

TecNet aims to develop the potential of the Institutes to provide Research and Development services to Irish industry by pooling their resources to create a critical mass of expertise. It also acts as a forum for the development of a co-ordinated national approach to R&D issues. A total of 13 Institutes of Technology already contribute to this exciting initiative.

In addition to the Athlone Institute of Technology, the Institutes at Blanchardstown, Carlow, Cork, Dundalk, Dun Laoghaire, Galway/Mayo, Letterkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght, Tralee, and Waterford are also partners.

I would like to conclude by congratulating everyone involved in the preparation of this conference - in particular the staff of TecNet and the Athlone Institute of Technology and the members of the CSSN Group from the various colleges. I am delighted that you intend to make this conference an annual event- and I wish you all every success and a very rewarding conference here in the beautiful midlands of Ireland.