Irish firms recognised at innovation awards

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Belfast in April.

Innovation editor with the Irish Times, Michael McAleer, says the companies are also judged on their job creation opportunity.

"As a judging panel (what) we're always looking out for is the potential, the long-term viability of the project and can they muster good employment," he said.,

"Clearly in the agri-food sector, as they scale up, there's definitely job potential there."