Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here with you this evening and I would like to congratulate all of the finalists of this, the fifth annual Digital Media Awards.
Tonight’s award ceremony allows us to look back on an exciting year of innovation in the Digital Media sector and also look forward in expectation of growth and creativity.
Before doing that let me briefly put the digital media industry into a national and global context.
This Government recognised, very early on, that Digital Media is a vital component in Ireland’s future economic development.
We recognised the need to make the transition from low-value-added manufacturing to the high-value-added knowledge economy to maintain our prosperity into the future.
The market size for the global Digital Media market was worth about $965 billion in 2004.
Furthermore, estimates suggest that it will be worth at least $1.48 trillion by 2009, representing growth of more than 53% in the period.
There are up to 500 companies in this space in Ireland, employing almost 3,500 people.
Back in 2003 there were few foreign owned digital media companies in this country.
Today 20% of the Digital Hub cluster of digital media companies is of a foreign origin.
The Digital Media industry offers huge potential for contributing to enterprise development and creating high value employment.
However, it is still very much an emerging industry, particularly in Ireland.
In the short to medium term, there will be opportunities to attract high value FDI in Digital Media and to further develop Ireland's indigenous base in Digital Media. The impact of digital media on all our lives is becoming clearer with each passing day.
New broadband applications have a real and beneficial impact on all our daily lives including:
- voice & video telephony;
- online entertainment;
- e-learning;
- telemedicine, such as remote monitoring and check-ups from home;
- remote home security monitoring while people are at work or away;
- enhanced communications for people with disabilities such as impaired hearing.
At the same time there are new means of delivering broadband.
And they will allow easier broadband access to our mobiles, laptops and other portable devices.
The convergence of old and new media forms around the internet is the future of media. Innovative devices like the recently launched I-phone will help open up this new world of convergence to the wider public.
It is clear that countries that foster, adapt and innovate in these new forms of media will have a competitive economic advantage into future and a share of one of the world’s fastest growing sectors.
It is anticipated that many digital media sectors will see the doubling and even quadrupling of their global turnover in the next few years.
It is vital that Ireland stakes out a share for itself in this fast growing sector.
I am committed to providing, through education and information technology, an environment that allows Ireland’s digital media industry to flourish and to ensure that everybody has access to it.
Much of my Department’s initiatives in recent times have been aimed at improving Ireland’s broadband infrastructure, particularly in areas where the market has failed.
While we have some distance to go I am confident that the work which is currently underway on a new nationwide broadband scheme and Next Generation Networks will speed up the process.
Our successful Broadband Awareness Campaign has greatly aided public knowledge of the benefits of broadband and the difference it can make to their everyday lives.
The work is beginning to bear fruit. Soon, there will be half a million broadband subscribers in Ireland.
Some €435 million of investment will be spent on these initiatives and other telecommunications infrastructure as part of the new National Development Plan.
This €184 billion Plan also includes substantial funds for research, development, technology and sciences to ensure that Ireland is at the forefront of the industries of the future.
Many of you gathered here tonight will have travelled the short distance from the Digital Hub in the Liberties.
More than 70 cutting edge digital media companies, employing almost 500 people, have moved in there since its establishment.
Thanks to recent Government investment, the Hub is on schedule to nearly double in size in the next five years.
With its guiding principle of regenerating an historic part of our capital by creating an international centre of digital media excellence, the Digital Hub is a key element of the Government’s commitment to realising an inclusive and broad reaching Information Society.
For the local and broader city community, the Digital Hub has made a real and positive impact.
Initiatives such as the Learning Programme have been developed to support the needs of the community and encourage their active participation.
Operating in 17 community groups and 16 schools since 2003, approximately 6,000 people have benefited from over 25 innovative learning programmes.
All have been engaged in using technology to address specific needs in their day to day lives.
Projects in music, video and radio have successfully contributed to providing new opportunities for employment and further education for those who have participated.
From the local learning initiatives that are making strong waves in the local community and schools: - to National Digital Research Centre: education.
The recently established National Digital Research Centre is an important focal point of the Digital Hub.
I predict, it will make important contributions to research and education - as well as provide a forum for international digital media cooperation.
Next week, I note, a delegation from San Francisco will visit the Hub and the National Digital Research Centre to discuss potential research and business collaboration.
The coming year will see exciting developments in the sphere of digital broadcasting in Ireland.
My Department is working with the industry to prepare Ireland for the introduction of Digital Terrestrial Television and Television Without Frontiers Directive.
Ireland needs to keep ahead of developments in digital broadcasting across the EU to ensure continued access to a range of high quality programming in analogue and digital form on a universal and free-to-air basis.
Legislation is currently before the Seanad to ensure the roll out of Digital Terrestrial Television.
And I want to make sure that when Television Without Frontiers offers broadcasting services that are targeted specifically at Ireland, Irish Authorities will regulate it.
I would, again, like to congratulate and wish the best of luck to all who are nominated here tonight. It is clear that Ireland’s digital future is in safe hands.
I would also like to thank Ashville Media, for their invitation to address you this evening and for their ongoing commitment towards Digital development, as well as sponsors: AD2ONE, Connect-World, Sunday Times Enterprise Network and The Digital Hub.
Thank you.
ENDS