A MAJOR factor in multinational companies choosing to come to Ireland is the religious values taught in Irish schools, the chief "executive of the Industrial Development Agency believes.
Delivering a Lenten lecture at the Dominican Priory in Tallaght, Co Dublin, yesterday, Mr Kieran McGowan said that what makes Ireland different from other European countries as a location for industry is the role teachers play in the formation of young people.
He said the main reason "Ireland Inc" had been so successful in attracting multinational companies was the "skill and co-operation of young educated people here". They had learned much of this at school. Irish teachers taught high standards of integrity and honesty, instilling in students values for living".
One definition of the kind of religious faith learned in Irish schools was "the duty to fulfil a trust", he said. This quality was highly prized by foreign employers. In addition, teachers taught their students respect for others.
Stressing that such qualities set young, educated people in the Irish workforce apart from their European counterparts, Mr McGowan urged that education be seen as an economic investment" and not just a "simple matter of investing in new schools.
"It's the most important investment which can be made in the Irish economy," he stressed.