News Release -
Balanced regional development is vital for national recovery
The vital contribution Regions can make to Ireland’s national recovery was the main theme to emerge at a Shannon Development Conference today (Friday 6th November ’09) in Thomond Park Stadium Limerick, which brought together national and international experts in the field of regional development to chart future directions. The Conference was addressed by Mary Coughlan TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
“Regions throughout Ireland can contribute to national recovery. Over 40% of Ireland’s population live outside the capital, and they have the right to expect a good standard of living. For example the Shannon Region has unique strengths and dedicated people who are working in partnership to harness these strengths, and are already making valuable contributions to getting Ireland back on the road to national recovery. The challenge, now more than ever, is to continue invest in our Regions to ensure balanced development in all parts of Ireland,” said Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, the regional development agency for the Shannon Region.
The Conference called ‘Dynamic Regions – Future Directions in Regional Development, was organised by Shannon Development to mark its 50th anniversary and to provide a blueprint for future directions in regional development.
Highlighting the Government’s commitment to regional development the Tánaiste speaking at the Conference said, “I believe regional development is now more important than ever. To be more competitive and innovative, we need more regional actions on the ground to devise solutions to help us on the road to national recovery. I believe the time for strong regional development is now. Mobilising the contribution of each region to national competitiveness is at forefront of what we do. Strong regions will help us grow and sustain a strong national economy.”
Stressing the importance of achieving balanced regional development, conference speaker, Economist Jim Power said, “Continued ongoing investment in access – by that I mean transport infrastructure such as ports, airport, rail and road, is critical for the Mid-West economy. Also critical for the region and Ireland generally will be a competitively priced power supply, without this economic and commercial activity will be in jeopardy. Broadband infrastructure will be another key business and economic enabler. Access to high speed broadband is an essential ‘must have’ on every investors shopping list. A highly skilled flexible workforce is a prerequisite to many FDI companies in their search for a new base. If any of these basic requirements are missing or weak in a region, then it puts that area at a huge disadvantage. This is why it is vital to continue to invest in these key economic drivers.”
Giving a European perspective on the critical role of regional development, Christina Diegelmann, Senior Policy Coordinator on ‘Economy and Regional Development’ for the Assembly of European Regions (AER), pointed to an EU survey carried by AER out in 24 regions from 13 countries which shows that regions have a crucial role to play in economic recovery. The Assembly is the largest independent network of European regions, bringing together 270 regions from 33 countries. Its role is to examine regional solutions to the current economic crisis. Ms. Diegelmann.
“We need long-term solutions to the economic crisis, and national governments must work closely with regions to maximise economic growth potential. While national recovery plans mainly target large companies and the financial system, regions focus primarily on supporting entrepreneurship, SME’s and innovation capacity. Regional actions can contribute to turning this crisis into an opportunity to strengthen regional economies and safeguard jobs,” said Ms. Diegelmann.
Conor Skehan, from the Futures Academy at the School of Spatial Planning in the Dublin Institute of Technology, spoke about their futures-orientated study investigating the likely territorial impacts of future economic challenges.
Power point presentations from each of the speakers at the conference can be viewed at www.ShannonDevelopment.ie/DynamicRegionsConference
Pictured at the Shannon Development Dynamic Regions Conference in Thomond Park, Limerick today (Friday 6th Novemeber '09) to mark the companies 50th anniversary are, Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, and Tanaiste Mary Coughlan TD, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment.
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