Institutions in Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador
establish business partnerships

The development of business partnerships between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland has taken another step forward with the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) during a week-long business visit to the province by a delegation from Ireland.

Premier Roger Grimes and Noel Treacy, Ireland's Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, participated in the signing ceremonies on Friday with representatives of the institutions that have signed the MOUs. (photo)

The Canadian Centre for Marine Communications and the Irish Marine Institute have signed an MOU that is focused on bringing together complementary Irish and Newfoundland and Labrador technology companies to improve their ability to compete internationally. The MOU will concentrate on the application of technology in such areas as ocean and coastal zone mapping, navigation, fisheries management, environmental monitoring and marine engineering.

The second MOU was signed between Memorial University and the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Under this partnership, the signatories will collaborate to address specific segments of the international e-learning market for professional education and training and post-graduate programs. Operation ONLINE Inc. is also a signatory to this MOU. 

"Our province is globally respected for its expertise in the development of marine technologies, and is internationally recognized for its expertise in distance education," said Premier Grimes. "These two MOUs will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise in these areas for the mutual benefit of both jurisdictions."

Minister Treacy said the MOUs "exemplify the spirit and intent of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Government of Ireland and the Government of Newfoundland in 1996. We will continue to work together to build sustainable business partnerships that help us achieve our common goals."

The new MOUs were signed following a meeting in St. John's of the boards for the Newfoundland-based Ireland Business Partnerships and the Ireland-based Ireland Newfoundland Partnership. 

It was the first joint meeting of the two boards since the Ireland-based board was formally incorporated in April this year. Both Minister Treacy and Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development, addressed the boards during their joint meeting.

Minister Treacy was also a keynote speaker at the Wireless Vision Congress in St. John's.

Photo #1: Participating in the signing ceremony for two MOUs between institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland are: (Front L to R) Noel Treacy, Ireland�s Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce; Agnes Aylward, Ireland Newfoundland Partnership; Una Murphy, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; Premier Roger Grimes. (Back L to R) Dr. Bill Blake, Memorial University; Ron Newhook, Canadian Centre for Marine Communications; Yvonne Shields, Marine Institute in Ireland; and Sam Walters, Operation ONLINE. (October 1, 2001)

Media contact:

Josephine Cheeseman
Industry, Trade and Rural Development 
(709) 729-4570

Michael Beagon
Office of the Minister of Science, Technology and Commerce
353-1-661-4444, Ext. 2241

2001 10 01                                  4:45 p.m.