Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 4

Written Answers. - Electronics Industry.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

187 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of electronic industries established in Ireland in 1995; the total number of jobs created and the names of these firms; if he has satisfied himself that they are of a high technical nature and if he has further satisfied himself that Scotland is more successful in the high tech industrial area than Ireland with the setting up of 20 extremely high tech industries; and his views on whether Ireland is losing out to Scotland in the extremely high tech area; if he will agree with the suggestion that has been stated that we are only securing low tech industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2868/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

In 1995 a total of 22 electronics-software projects, with an employment potential of almost 7,000 jobs, were approved by IDA Ireland. A list of the projects is beneath. Electronics companies develop, market and manufacture a wide-range of leading edge products in Ireland. The companies are engaged in a range of sectors, from wafer design and fabrication, systems, components and peripherals, to communications, networks and software.

The electronics industry has formed the core of Ireland's development in the high-technology manufacturing sector. Our ability to attract global semi-conductor players such as Intel, Xilinx and NEC together with the new networking companies such as 3 Com and Cabletron, illustrates Ireland's capabilities at the technology forefront.

In 1995 IDA Ireland estimates its overall share of all greenfield inward manufacturing investment was 14 per cent. This is a strong market position for an economy with a population representing less than 1 per cent of Europe. In electronics, it is estimated that we secured 22 per cent of greeenfield and expansion projects.

The attraction of inward investment is a very competitive business. Capital intensive, large scale strategic projects are becoming more and more difficult to secure. Nonetheless, Ireland continues to win high tech projects against very strong competition from many sources including Scotland. In these circumstances, I would not agree with the Deputy's suggestion that we are only securing low-tech industries.

Projects

1. Hewlett Packard Manufacturing Ltd.

2. Corel Corporation.

3. Ogden Atlantic Design (Europe) Ltd.

4. Digital Equipment Ireland.

5. EMC Ireland.

6. Madge Networks Ltd.

7. Syllogic Ireland Ltd.

8. Seagate Technology Inc.

9. LM Ericsson Holdings Ltd.

10. KAO Infosystems Ire. Ltd.

11. 3 Com Ireland Ltd.

12. Apple Computers.

13. Advent Software Ltd.

14. Cambridge Technology Partners.

15. Kudos Ireland.

16. Saturn Fulfilment Services Ltd.

17. Tally Systems.

18. Visibility International.

19. M/A Com Eurotec.

20. Intel Ireland.

21. American Power Conversion.

22. Hitachi Maxell.