Engineers Ireland has highlighted the critical role that engineers will play in ensuring Ireland’s future economic success.

Speaking at the announcement of the short listed nominees for the 'Engineers Ireland Student Innovation Awards 2010', John Power, Director General of Engineers Ireland, underlined the importance of Ireland becoming a genuine home-grown innovation economy for the global market if we are to return to a period of positive economic growth.

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Highlighting the need to recognise and invest in the people that will be at the heart of that economy, Mr Power said: "There is now growing recognition that innovation is the engine that will power our economic recovery. But while the enormous contribution of foreign direct investment to Ireland must be acknowledged, it is supporting an innovative mindset across indigenous business, the multi nationals operating here and education that must be our highest national priority now. I cannot over-emphasise the importance of these awards as a means of encouraging creative thinking not just in companies but in the young as well."

(NS/GK)