TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

wages and prices are kept in balance to ensure continued productivity and sustained
real growth.
8. With increasing turmoil and churn in worldwide markets the challenge is to manage
globalisation so that appropriate labour market supports are put in place to help
those made redundant become re-integrated into the labour market. Globalisation,
of course, also brings greater opportunities for Irish firms to compete in more and
more international markets. Furthermore, increased capital and labour mobility
enhances Ireland’s ability to secure foreign direct investment.
9. Despite a decade of record investment levels, substantial infrastructure gaps needs
to be addressed. For example: the transportation network remains under pressure;
communications technology is inadequate and incomplete; and congestion continues
to limit the efficiency of the economy and reduce the quality of life. There is also
the need for increased passenger and freight capacity at airports, seaport capacity
expansion, improvement of market access corridors and logistics and supply-chain
optimisation.
10. A competitively priced and secure supply of energy is a vital ingredient for
competitiveness. As a small island economy with limited indigenous energy
reserves, such as hydropower, there is an excessively high dependency on imported
fossil fuels. This dependence is exacerbated by the adoption of patterns of
transportation, spatial development and electricity generation that are carbon
intensive. Overall, there is a need to evaluate all energy technologies, including the
potential of nuclear energy.
11. The development of an all-island economy represents an opportunity to enhance
competitiveness and raise a shared standard of living through the existence of
greater economics of scale, the development of a larger and more competitive
marker for consumers, and deeper pools of knowledge and skills, particularly in
border areas.
12. It is argued that Ireland will only achieve its full potential when all parts of the
country can contribute fully to the economic, social and cultural strength of the
nation through balanced regional development. Ireland must be progressive and
strategic in planning for both hard and soft infrastructure irrespective of location.
13. Unlike other sectors of the Irish economy, the agri-food industry is multi-faceted,
with a large number of growers and producers at farm level complemented by
primary processor and added value processing industries. Food security and safety
issues are paramount, which, coupled with the multi-national trade profile of the
industry, make it a heavily regulated sector. The Enterprise Strategy Group argued
that if appropriate policy initiatives are taken, then by 2015 Ireland will be
internationally recognised as an important location for the production of high valueadded
products such as: prepared consumer foods; functional foods and beverages;
food ingredients; and speciality foods.
14. Creativity, it is said, is the precursor of innovation. And, if innovation is a
prerequisite to Ireland’s future as a competitive modern economy, creativity should
be nurtured and developed at all levels and across all sectors. Too narrow a view of
creativity and innovation is often taken, equating them mainly with science and
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