'Re-conceptualising Ireland’s Competitiveness' - NCC Conference
The NCC Conference - Re-conceptualising Ireland's Competitiveness - was held on 9th January 2008 at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Further information is available in the conference brochure below. The summary paper provides a brief synopsis of the key themes that emerged throughout the conference. Presentations from the conference can be downloaded below.
Conference Brochure
Conference Brochure (PDF, 6 pages, 382KB)
Conference Summary Paper
Conference Summary Paper (PDF, 9 pages, 180KB)
Presentations
Re-conceptualising Ireland’s Competitiveness |
| Developments in Irish Competitiveness Alan Gray, Managing Director, Indecon International Economic Consultants |
| Challenges and Opportunities for Enterprise in Ireland Martin Cronin, Chief Executive, Forfás |
| The European Competitiveness Agenda David O’Sullivan, Director General for Trade, European Commission |
| Energy Supply and Competitiveness Andreas Biermann, Desk Officer, International Energy Agency |
| Challenges for Ireland’s Future Competitiveness Dr Alan Ahearne, Economist and Vice Dean for Research, NUIG |
| Re-conceptualising Ireland’s Competitiveness Shay Cody, Deputy Secretary General, IMPACT |
| Higher Education as a Driver of Competitiveness Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President, DCU |
Photos from the event
![]() |
![]() |
| Opening the conference was NCC Chairman Dr Don Thornhill, pictured here with Forfás Chief Executive and NCC board member, Martin Cronin. | Delegates at the morning session of the conference. |
![]() |
![]() |
| From left to right Joe Harford, HLMG, Liam Nellis, Chief Executive, InterTradeIreland and Michael Loftus of BD. | Addressing the conference delegates were Alan Grey, Indecon and Prof. Stéphane Garelli, Institute of Management Development, Lausanne. |
![]() |
![]() |
| Martin Cronin, Forfás, Declan Hughes, Forfás and Sir George Quigley, Bombardier Aerospace. | Dr Don Thornhill discussing the changing nature of the Irish economy. |
![]() |
![]() |
| Pictured at the NCC Conference in Farmleigh House were Chairman of the NCC, Dr Don Thornhill and Alan Grey, Managing Partner of Indecon Ireland. | Pictured with Dr Don Thornhill are several of the speakers from the event including Prof. Stéphane Garelli, Dr James Coleman, Alan Crosbie, Martin Cronin, Andreas Biermann, Sir George Quigley, Dr Alan Aherne and Patrick Cooney. |









