Irish firms recognised at innovation awards

Innovative Irish companies in the agri-food, energy and IT sectors are among those being recognised for their work today.

More than 100 businesses applied to The Irish Times Inter Trade Ireland Innovation Awards.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Belfast in April.

Innovation editor with the Irish Times, Michael McAleer, says the companies are also judged on their job creation opportunity.

"As a judging panel (what) we're always looking out for is the potential, the long-term viability of the project and can they muster good employment," he said.,

"Clearly in the agri-food sector, as they scale up, there's definitely job potential there."