The Republic's ability to develop a project from inception to completion within a matter of weeks was praised yesterday by Siemens president and chief executive officer Dr Heinrich von Pierer, when he officially opened a call centre that will employ 150 people.

European politicians should follow Ireland's lead and create business conditions that foster a climate of innovation, said Dr von Pierer.

He unveiled a plaque at Siemens International Customers Centre at Penrose Wharf in Cork.

Dr von Pierer said the combination of one of the world's most open economies and the highly effective partnership programmes between Government, employers and trade unions had been an enormous success.

"The progress made here since the late 1980s has been simply spectacular, " said Dr von Pierer, saying the centre - which employs 90 people - will create 150 further jobs in a range of support services for Siemens Communications devices.

"Take our new centre, for example. In a matter of mere weeks, the combination of our local Siemens organisation and the excellent commitment and support from the IDA and Telecom Eireann had the centre up and running," he said. "It was very important to find the right environment, to find the right people, to get the support of the local authorities, to get the support of government - and this happened in a really impressive manner here in Cork," he added.

Customers from 24 countries will be supported in their local language and the centre also supports Siemens e-commerce, said Dr von Pierer.

He added that employment at the centre had the potential to grow beyond projected levels.

The Siemens Group in Ireland currently employs 700 people in Dublin, Cork and Belfast and last year had a turnover of £129 million (€164 million). The Cork centre will move into new premises in Mahon in November.

The Minister for Education, Mr Martin, welcomed Siemens investment in the centre as a significant boost to the local economy.