Enterprise Ireland is in its second stage of development as a corporate body and an agency of Forfas. It is part of the Industrial Development Bill 1998 and will be set up this month. The agency will be created through the amalgamation and restructuring of Forbairt, An Bord Trachtala and elements of the business section of FAS.

The new agency is the result of a government revamp of industry development policy. Enterprise Ireland is expected to adapt a more holistic and integrated approach, and will focus on companies with the potential to trade internationally.

The existing functions of Forbairt are all being transferred into the new agency on its establishment date, says Kieran O'Rourke, Forbairt's press officer. "Enterprise Ireland will comprise all staff and functions of Forbairt and An Bord Trachtala with the exception of the national metrology laboratory, the legal metrology service and in the longer term the Irish Energy Centre and it will also include a number of regionally-based FAS personnel," he adds.