Dromoland gathering calls for maximum innovation in European business

A three-day meeting to "explore issues of importance to the economic future of Europe" started today at Dromoland Castle Co Clare.

The gathering is billed as "An Informal Meeting of EU Ministers with responsibility for Competitiveness" and also includes business leaders and top figures from the business media.

One of the key issues up for discussion will be the perceoved de-industrialisation of Europe as jobs move to the East.

A statement from the 'Informal 'Competitiveness Council' noted that: "In February last year the leaders of France, Germany and the UK expressed a concern of the risk of de-industrialisation and sought action to promote internationally competitive industry."

It went on to say "that a concentration of focus on the concept can lead to inappropriate policy choices…Instead the policy focus must be on enhancing productivity levels within Europe and that it is through such a focus that Europe can best shape it economic and welfare destiny.

"In terms of increasing productivity through innovation, the goals set in the Lisbon agenda call for an increase in inputs to research, both in terms of increasing the number of researchers and increasing the amount of R&D expenditure.