Curaheen Science and Innovation Park – Beyond Knowledge

Lord Mayor, this is a great, great proposal.

We live in a country where use of knowledge and expertise are key factors moving forward.

I’ve spoken here before about the importance of this city responding to the need for innovative thinking and competition amongst Ireland’s other cities.

One of the first questions I have is how does Cork’s plan push beyond the one the Shannon Science Park has or even Belfast’s one?

How do we make our concentration of resources competitive and effective, and even different in our approach to some of them? How do we set up a challenging gameplay?

How does this city respond to the innovation requirements?

How can this city raise the capability of local enterprises associated with technologies to compete on the global market in the most innovative and technologically advanced sectors?

How do we facilitate innovations and also bring them to maturity and to markets as well?

The role of high technology in the region is very important, how it is marketed is also key – how we communicate it nationally and internationally How do we expand our international networking? Is there more we can do to attract in foreign direct investment?

I’m excited about opening up further links between our local universities and their research skills and the wider science and technologies market.

The creation of a synergy of ideas and actions among the companies in the Park and the University, the promotion of new customers, suppliers and intermediaries are all very important,

It would be great to know that advice would be available on financing alternatives; investment forums, access to venture capital and investor networks, public calls for R&D &innovation, grants, aid to companies based in science parks, and protection of results.

Plus it is important to ask what is the potential for expansion and growth?

What is the next fad, object? Drug? Technology the world is looking for? Does this region have its ear fully to the ground to be able to capitalise on global needs?

Competition is something this city needs to look at across every aspect of its business.

The promotion of Cork as a city of science and region of scientific development would be a great arrow for Cork to have in its quiver.