In 1969 Charlie Haughey introduced a series of tax breaks to assist artists and writers and this has greatly helped the development of the arts in Irish society.
The government is trying to encourage an economy based on ‘‘brainpower, not brawn’’. To give momentum to this effort, we need to actively encourage technical thinking and innovation in our schools, colleges and workplaces. I propose that the government kick start this effort by introducing tax breaks for inventors who go on to develop and commercialise their ideas in Ireland.
Our politicians should be preparing Ireland to become a knowledge-based economy, where the value created will not be manufactured goods or agricultural produce, but intellectual property, creative industries and internationally traded services. This will require world-class infrastructure, which must include decent broadband access.
Creating the next Ireland Sunday, October 22, 2006
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