CONTINUED INVESTMENT in education at all levels will help Ireland through the economic downturn, according to American Chamber of Commerce Ireland president Paul Rellis.

Speaking after the chamber’s Independence Day business lunch yesterday, Mr Rellis, who is also managing director of Microsoft Ireland, said he was optimistic for the long-term prospects of the Irish economy. “If we continue to invest in education, we have a very bright future in this country,” he said.

“We are clearly going through a period of uncertainty and volatility in markets, but the long-term advantage we have in this country is phenomenally well-educated people. We have a strong business model and a very attractive proposition, and I think if we continue to invest in education in Ireland and continue to invest in the right business models, the software industry and other industries will continue to do extremely well.”

He added: “But the key, and I can’t express it enough, is education at primary level, secondary level and third level.”

Citing Sweden and Singapore as examples, Mr Rellis said education fostered innovation. “Innovation is the driver of the economy; you need skilled people,” he said.

Mr Rellis added that IT investment in schools was crucial. “As a managing director of Microsoft, I would say you have to invest in IT in primary and secondary schools, but it is not just for that reason – it is to help expand people’s horizons.”

Addressing the lunch, President Mary McAleese said the presence of US multinationals had helped to foster an indigenous entrepreneurial spirit in Ireland. She said many Irish companies were establishing operations in the US, with Ireland now among the 10 largest investors in the US.

“There are 200 Irish companies in 50 locations in the US. This is a story nobody could have scripted 20 years ago,” she added.