Report calls for digital sector trade association

The establishment of a trade association is essential to the success and development of digital media in Ireland, according to a report published today.

The report of this year's O2 Digital Media Conference also calls for third level institutes to be used to their "full potential" as research and development facilities and urges digital media producers to "cultivate partnerships with teachers and educationalists."

While acknowledging that the State is well served by both public and private owned networks, the report claims the two are not sufficiently integrated and calls for the industry to be given access to State and semi-State networks.

Conference chairman, Mr Damian Ryan said: "The digital media industry has now reached a critical point in its life cycle. Without leadership from the various stakeholders who represent this industry, there is a real risk that the Government's vision for Ireland to be a world force in digital media will not be realised.

Hundreds of companies hope to grow and profit from this business and it is now logical for them to unite under one umbrella organisation."