‘Embassy’ in Dublin needed to represent Cork
This is according to the president of University College Cork (UCC), Dr Michael Murphy who said that having a Cork Embassy in Dublin would enable the county to be closer to decision makers in Government and the media.
His remarks were made at the annual Cork Chamber conference yesterday and the idea of a Cork Ambassador based in the capital was met with laughter from the hundreds of business leaders in attendance.
But there was no snigger of laughter from many of the day’s speakers, including Dr Murphy.
Even the conference chairman and keynote speaker, broadcaster Matt Cooper seemed open to the idea.
Also yesterday it was heard that a strategy needs to be prepared at local level in Cork with the involvement of all key stakeholders which would support the IDA in ensuring that Cork is the location for new investments in the pharma industry.
General manager of Gilead Sciences Declan Farrell said the pharma/biopharma industry is already well established in Cork and is well positioned to accommodate many new investments.
“Action is required to ensure the availability of the necessary skilled people for these investments by increasing the pool of people with the relevant training and expertise to meet the anticipated growth and demand from the biopharma industry.
“More on the job type training in biopharma companies rather than academic training is recommended to ensure graduates have industry relevant experience,” he added.
Also general partner with Delta Partners, Shay Garvey said that there is a disproportionately low level of venture capital backed companies in Cork.
“The recent closure of Motorola could spawn more hi-tech companies. While the economic impact of this sector cannot compete with foreign direct investment as regards revenues or employment, it is creating many successful entrepreneurs.
“Continued growth is dependent on the presence of a strong hi-tech FDI in Ireland and on the availability of capital investment to back these entrepreneurs,” he said.
