The importance of concise, accurate and understandable writing was stressed by the Minister of State for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr Kitt, when he presented prizes to winners of the 2001 Young Business Writer of the Year Awards at Dublin City University this week.

The competition, which is sponsored by Ericsson, organised by Dublin City University and supported by The Irish Times, is open to second- and third-level students and attracted 250 entries.

Mr Kitt said that as a politician he appreciated how good writing served to keep people fully informed about issues of interest and concern.

"I am also conscious that poor writing, or lazy or uninformed writing - which is a disservice to the profession of journalism - can skew our understanding of the complexities of an issue. That said, the media, or the fourth estate, are a vital part of any democracy. Keeping our citizens informed on the many different facets of activity which affect their daily lives, both directly and indirectly, is crucial in a modern, open, pluralist democracy. Such writing must always, however, be objective and accurate if it is to serve us well," he said.

Ericsson communications manager Mr Dermot Kennedy said that, in a rapidly changing business environment, information alone was not enough. What also was required was an ability to communicate that information in a manner that builds increased confidence in the company.

"Despite the advent of new and innovative technologies, the winning companies into the future will be those that build the most effective communication processes with their customer bases, built on a deep understanding of changing customer demands," he said.

The winner of the third-level category was Mr Cormac Finn, a first-year business studies student at DCU, for his essay The Single currency is not in Ireland's best interest.

Mr Kian Pettit of CBS High School, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, took first prize in the second level category for his essay Entrepreneurs are born not made.