Devins Flies The Green Flag For Irish R&D In Chicago

The Minister's visit to Chicago will give him an opportunity to meet with important and influential members of the Irish community, the Irish-American community and the business community in what most Chicagoans regard as America's Second City. The number of native-born Irish in Chicago is around 25,000 people.

On Thursday, Minister Devins will meet with the Vice President of Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, which is one of the world's leading healthcare companies.

Abbott employs in excess of 65,000 people in approximately 100 locations. Abbott is one of the largest Medical Technologies employers in Ireland employing 3,600 people. Current employment in Sligo is approximately 550 people, while Longford employs 390 people.

Minister Devins will acknowledge Abbott's longstanding and continued investment in Ireland, and assure the company of the Irish Government's and IDA Ireland's ongoing support for the growth and development of its Irish operations.

He will also provide the Abbott Management with an overview of Ireland's Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation, ensuring the future supply of relevant science, engineering, and management skills for the Irish life sciences industry.

He will also discuss Ireland's plans for developing R&D activity, and infrastructure to support this, in particular our University Research centres.

A meeting with Hollister Incorporated is also planned, which is a manufacturer of innovative healthcare products and is a leading supplier of products in the Ostomy, Continence, Wound Care and Obstetrics markets worldwide.

Hollister employs more than 2,000 people worldwide. Hollister currently employs 320 people at their Ballina site.

The Minister will assure the Vice President of Hollister in the company of the Irish Government's and IDA Ireland's commitment to the ongoing development of manufacturing and R&D by Hollister in Ireland.

Minister Devins will also visit the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and meet with the Mayor of Chicago Richard Daley.

On Friday Minister Devins will address the Irish American Partnership Breakfast Union League and meet with the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform. He will visit the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Minister Devins will also meet with the Sligo association of Chicago represent the Irish Government at the St Patrick's Day Parade.

Minister Devins speaking prior to the visit said, ''Ireland remains an attractive location for foreign directive investment. In recent years our success in attracting such investment has been complemented by the growing strength of our indigenous enterprises.

"One statistic highlights that strength: while there are nearly 500 US companies in Ireland employing some 95,000 people, there are nearly 200 indigenous Irish companies in the US employing some 80,000 people.

"Irish indigenous enterprise is strong. I will use every opportunity in Chicago to sell Ireland as a perfect location for US Research and Development.''