WIT President Willie Donnelly believes the collaborative impact of the Crystal Valley Tech (CVT) community of ICT companies has the potential to make the South East a major international player within the industry. Speaking at the official launch of CVT in Waterford on Monday morning, Prof Donnelly (who is also a member of CVT’s Tech Board), said the region possesses the “capacity and the ability to compete on a global level”.
Pictured at Waterford Medieval Museum for the launch of Crystal Valley Tech were Ministers John Halligan and Michael D'Arcy, Niall O'Donnellan (Enterprise Ireland), Larry Breen and Elaine Fennelly (CVT) and Martin Shanahan (CEO, IDA). | Photo: John Power
“This is a real milestone day in the economic development of the South East and with over 80 globally leading ICT companies based in the region, we certainly posses the wherewithal to become one of the world’s leading tech regions.” Minister of State John Halligan (IA) said the concept demonstrated how “dynamic, collaborative and forward thinking the South East has become”, adding that the region offered a great work life balance and a defined and clear path for progression within the ICT sector.
“As a country, we’re now exporting €35 billion annually in terms of ICT, which is phenomenal. And through greater and more meaningful collaboration, we can and will do even better, and we can drive so much of that growth through the South East, through Waterford and through Crystal Valley Tech.”
CVT Board members Elaine Fennelly (Bluefin Payments Systems) and Larry Breen (RouteMatch) both spoke optimistically about future opportunities at the launch. “There’s a great energy in Waterford at the moment, be it through the Greenway or the North Quays and Crystal Valley Tech want to be part of that. We’re already doing amazing things…and we’re already producing world class software here in the South East…but we know there’s more that we can do and achieve by working together.”
Said Larry Breen, a Waterford native: “This is not about starting from the ground up. It’s been here for over 20 years and it continues to grow. What we’re doing with Crystal Valley Tech is all based on consolidation, co-operation and co-ordination. That’s what this organisation is all about.”
He added: “We have a wealth of knowledge and understanding in this region…and we hear a lot of negative press in the South East. Well there is no need for any of that anymore. We’re here. We’re already doing and we’re ready to take things to the next level…and we’re delighted and excited to be part of this. We’re an ICT monster and we’re gobbling up these ideas
