Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Industrial Development.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

40 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the statement made by the head of National Microelectronics Research Centre that Ireland needs a new strategy for industrial development in the electronics sector; and the proposals, if any, she has to alter the current policy in this sector. [12068/98]

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

87 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the statement made by the head of National Microelectronics Research Centre that Ireland needs a new strategy for industrial development in the electronics sector; and the proposals, if any, she has to alter the present policy in this sector. [12067/98]

Nora Owen

Ceist:

125 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the statement made by the head of National Microelectronics Research Centre that Ireland needs a new strategy for industrial development in the electronics sector; and the proposals, if any, she has to alter the policy in this sector. [12089/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 87 and 125 together.

The electronics sector represents the most important growth sector for industrial development in Ireland and has strong potential for the future as technological developments continue and electronic products become even more pervasive. Our policy objective is to harness this growth potential for Ireland in high skilled and high value added segments of the business.

However, in the electronics industry change is constant, therefore all segments of the industry are kept under continuous review by my Department, the industrial development agencies and Forfás in conjunction with outside analysts.

The perspectives gained from these ongoing reviews and also the contact with independent industry analysts and leading industrialists make an important contribution.

In summary, the strategy for the development of the electronics sector is built around targeting particular niches that provide the best potential for Ireland. We aim to maintain a competitive operating environment and to compete for investments across a broad range of selected key segments. We are also focusing on increasing the embeddedness of companies in Ireland against a background of continuous change in technology and customer requirements.

The increased availability of a well educated workforce with relevant skills is fundamental to the development of the sector and significant steps have been taken by the Government to address the skills needs of the sector.

The development of our indigenous electronics industry is key policy objective. The sector is experiencing dynamic growth in a wide range of segments. Many of these companies are successfully becoming niche players and are at the leading edge developing the very latest state-of-the-art technologies.

Given the constant change and volatility of the electronics sector, I am satisfied the strategy of a systematic and continuous assessment for the development of the sector is the correct approach.