Taoiseach says west can be a powerful region

TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has said the west of Ireland “can continue to be a competitive and powerful region”, as confirmed by the global significance of its biomedical industry hub.

Mr Kenny was speaking at NUI Galway (NUIG) at the weekend, where Attorney General Máire Whelan was one of the recipients of an alumni award.

Praising NUIG for its “leadership”, Mr Kenny said he was aware many students were concerned about an uncertain future.

“However, I believe that there is a resilience in our people that will bring our country through its current difficulties,” Mr Kenny said, and the university would ensure “today’s students become the innovative, confident, imaginative and creative graduates that will lead economic recovery and future prosperity”.

Ms Whelan received the Bank of Ireland award for business, public policy and law at a banquet on the campus. The senior counsel and former Labour Party treasurer is the first woman to have been appointed as legal adviser to government. Other alumni award recipients were Druid Theatre company co-founder Marie Mullen; Medtronic Galway vice-president and general manager Gerry Kilcommins; University College Cork chairman of microbiology Prof Fergal O’Gara; surgeon Prof Tim O’Brien; and Peader Mac An Iomaire of the university’s Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.

The NUIG alumni awards recognise “individual excellence and achievements” among graduates. Previous winners include President Michael D Higgins, Ciarán FitzGerald, Sean O’Rourke, Prof Frank Gannon and Gráinne Seoige.