ENTERPRISE Minister Micheál Martin has promised that Dungarvan will be made a priority area for job creation.

FORMER AIB chief executive Michael Buckley is to head the new group that will advise the Government on enterprise policy, Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin announced yesterday.

Sales reps are to be sent to China and other foreign countries as part of a new course to boost Irish exports.

FUTURE economic success will depend on innovative products produced to the highest standard geared to meeting exacting global demands.

A MAJOR policy switch from foreign investment towards developing home-grown entrepreneurs is expected later this week, with the launch of Enterprise Ireland’s new strategy on Wednesday.

Raising skills levels and delivering high-quality graduates will be the twin priorities of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) going forward, the body's chairperson said today.

WORKERS should be given an income tax credit at the 42% rate for the first €4,000 a year in pension contributions, Finance Minister Brian Cowen has been urged.

Infrastructural projects in this country are billions of euro over budget, and vast numbers are not coming in on time, writes Claire O’Sullivan.

Ireland needs new approaches to dealing with the challenges of up-skilling those in the workplace, delegates at the annual Skillsnets conference were told yesterday.

SHANNON Development is fighting hard to defend the interests of the region in negotiations with the interdepartmental committee set up to implement the Enterprise Strategy Review Group’s findings on the future of the economy.

ISME has condemned the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) for sanctioning further price increases in electricity and gas, calling the move a disgrace and a further demonstration of regulatory failure.

THE number of unemployed rose in July to around 170,000, a figure 8,000 down on the same month last year.

COMPANY spending on research and development (R&D) needs to rise by over €1.5 billion by 2010 according to a new report.

Hundreds of millions needs to be invested in research and development, particularly in the enterprise sector, to make sure Ireland is competitive in the global economy, according to a new report.

ISME has predicted a positive outlook for the next 12 months in its second quarterly business trends survey published today.

Competition Authority chairman John Fingleton has launched a stinging attack on what he called Ireland's "culture of anti-consumer behaviour".

The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) has welcomed a proposal to establish a new body called Export Ireland, within Enterprise Ireland, with its own budget and an experienced leadership.

IN the latest review on future industrial policy, the report Ahead of the Curve: Ireland’s Place in the Global Economy, says future economic success depends on getting close to our customers.

IT’S imperative that Ireland keep its 12.5% Corporation Profit Tax as the basis for ongoing economic development.

THE report on the future development of the economy recommends strengthening the links between the three main investment agencies as part of a shake-up of State bodies.

THE governing bodies of third-level colleges are not flexible enough and should be made smaller but with more business representation, the Enterprise Strategy Group recommends.

The Small Firms Association has welcomed the report of the Enterprise Strategy Group.

ISME, representing small and medium-sized businesses, has given a cautious welcome to the Enterprise Strategy Group report issued today.

Tánaiste Mary Harney has warned Ireland must adapt if we are to succeed in continuing economic growth.

THE Enterprise Strategy Group draws on expertise from across the Irish business landscape, with high-fliers from industry and trade unions as well as academics, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.

THE Enterprise Strategy Group report on Irish economic development for the next decade, due to be released today, is expected to pick up where the Industrial Policy Review Group’s 1992 Culliton Report left off, according to analysts.

THE Enterprise Strategy Group report due out tomorrow will stress the need to develop the economy’s strengths.

THE GOVERNMENT has given the contract to manage operate high-speed internet networks to Limerick firm E-Net.

Ireland performed strongly during 2003 in the context of a difficult global economy, with employment levels up 44,000, according to the Forfás Annual Report for 2003.

The ISME has called on the government to address the growing problem of Irish job losses to other destinations due to high business costs here.

DOMESTIC industry stood up well in a difficult year for the global economy and generated 8,200 jobs, Enterprise Ireland said yesterday.

ISME has called on the Government to prioritise the Manufacturing sector after unemployment figures revealed that the sector has been badly hit by job losses.

IRISH industry will have to become more productive, inventive and flexible to survive the increasingly competitive global market, Tánaiste Mary Harney warned.