Tags: Brian Cowen, Cork, Deirdre Clune, Ireland, job creation, politics

Deirdre Clune

BRIAN Cowen should stop churning out reports on innovation and the smart economy and start producing real jobs, Fine Gael Innovation Spokesperson Deirdre Clune TD said today.

Speaking before the launch of the Government Innovation Taskforce report to be published tomorrow, Deputy Clune said it’s time to turn all these ideas into reality.

“This report hasn’t been published and it already looks like a damp squib. From what we see in the Irish Times article, there is little or nothing new in this report and most of the proposals have been reheated on numerous occasions.

“Brian Cowen’s Smart Economy policy was launched 15 months ago. Since then unemployment has soared even higher and emigration has returned in force. No one believes this latest report will have any impact as long as the Fianna Fáil/Green Government remains in power.

“It’s long been recognised that any enterprise strategy must bridge the gap between research and business in order to turn ideas into jobs. Yet another report, no matter how worthy, will achieve nothing unless it is actually put into action.

“The Taoiseach’s talk of ‘Building a Smart Economy’ is wearing thin. When he launches this report I want to hear him giving a clear timescale for implementation. Otherwise our best and brightest may as well pack their bags,” she said.