FORMER MINISTER for State Conor Lenihan described Ireland’s return to Davos this year as a “very wise decision”, and urged Ireland to “get over its hang-up of Ministers and officials travelling overseas”.
The former Fianna Fáil minister has since last year worked in Moscow, and is in Davos to promote a new science and technology cluster outside Moscow. Set to employ up to 30,000 people, the Skolkovo project has international partners including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Recalling his time in public life, Mr Linehan said he always found “dispiriting” the negative reaction in the media at home after promoting Ireland abroad.
“The downturn means there’s very little charity left in this world. There’s not a lot of people going to feel sorry for us in this downturn.
“ I think it’s hugely important that a Taoiseach is back here again. If you’re absent and not seen, it has an effect: you’re not selling and your proposition isn’t being heard.”
In his new role promoting a scientific initiative from Russia, Mr Lenihan said he learned early on in the job that “Russians are not afraid of promoting themselves; Ireland shouldn’t be either”.
The Skolkovo project will create an entirely new city near Moscow, bringing together higher education and research within a technology park and residential facilities. Key investors so far include Microsoft and General Electric.
“Russia has a very rich pool of talent in science and technology generally but this is a major effort to create a new culture of innovation and commercialism of science and innovation in Russia,” said Mr Linehan.
Around 500 start-up companies will be attracted to the site, including European and Irish companies, with announcements expected soon.
“A number of Irish companies have been in contact with a view to getting grant assistance and the average grant is very generous, on average of between $2-5 million,” said Mr Lenihan.
For the former minister, the mountain-top gathering in Switzerland retains its unique charm.
He said at the end of the day Davos was a simple proposition; bringing together a great number of key decision-makers in one place.
Recalling an earlier attendance as minister for development, he recalled the influential role played by other Irish visitors in the past.
“Bono and Bob Geldof did huge work in development aid here: they came and pitched their case to global business people.
“They got stuck in to promote their cause, and so should we,” said Mr Lenihan.
