The Tánaiste has unveiled a strategy for the biotechnology industry in Ireland that plans to more than quadruple the number of people employed in the sector.
Ms Harney said it is hoped the "Building Biotech Business" strategy developed by Enterprise Ireland will create 1,400 jobs over the next five years. A total of 400 people are employed in 21 companies in the industry.
The strategy includes the development of www.biotechnologyireland.com- a portal that will provide a central source of information on biotechnology in Ireland.
"Biotechnology is predicted to be a major basis for economic growth in the 21st Century," Ms Harney said.
"The Enterprise Ireland strategy being announced today seeks to maximise the creation and nurture the development of new commercially focused early stage biotechnology companies in Ireland", she said.