Minister Bruton launches European Cloud Computing Conference in Dublin - DCU and EIURA bring next generation of Cloud computing to Dublin

6 Oct 2011 Dublin - The European Industry University Research Association (EIURA) with local partners in Dublin City University (DCU) are bringing the next generation of European Cloud Computing initiatives to the forefront. The EIURA forum brings international experts to Ireland with a view to forming partnerships with DCU researchers and industry leaders for high profile European Cloud Computing projects.

Consortium building, proposal writing for funding and information on funding instruments were presented and expert panellists and speakers provided advice on European and national projects.

The funding available from the EU in this targeted area is 70 million euro and Irish partners have had the most success ever last year in attracting over 300 million euro from the FP7 Framework.

According to EIURA Director, Ray Walshe, "These future technologies will revolutionise how businesses conduct their operations and deliver products and services. These initiatives will deliver much needed competitiveness and jobs for the Irish economy. The researcher and industry partnerships formed will deliver next generation technology and keep Ireland at the forefront of Cloud Computing enterprise."

Launching the conference, Minister Bruton stated: "As I have said repeatedly, the global Cloud computing industry offers Ireland a significant opportunity to create jobs and economic growth. I am determined that government will act decisively to seize that opportunity, and that is why I have established across-government implementation group to ensure that prompt action occurs.

"However ultimately our success will depend on the ingenuity of our researchers and business people such as those gathered at this event today. I am delighted to lend my support this event and I wish them all the best in their endeavours. I am delighted that government will do everything possible to support this sector to create jobs and get our economy growing again."

The EUIRA Directors, Markus Helfert and Ray Walshe from DCU's School of Computing were delighted with the high profile delegates, which included Paul Rellis, MD Microsoft; Dr. Georgios Theodoropoulos, Chief Scientist IBM; Jorge Gasos, Head of Sector, European Commission (Software Technologies (Grid) and Industrial activities); Prof Mike Scott, Head of Computing, DCU; John Shaw, CEO Mainstream Renewable Power; Prof. Domenico Talia, Director of the Research Institute, ICAR (CNR, Italy); Sean McCarthy, Hyperion Ltd.; Stephen Relly, National Contact Poin, FP7; Enterprise Ireland and Bobby Kerr, CEO Insomnia, Dragons Den.