Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to pursue this issue. Some €24 billion has been already invested in this area over ten years, which may appear high when inflation, etc., is taken into account. Despite that we have invested considerable money in this area, only 27 of the 164, or 16% of new investments last year were in research, development and innovation. Apple is considering locating its new research and development centre not in Ireland, but in Israel. While I welcome all of the companies located here, most of them are engaged in marketing sales rather than research and development. Are we lacking in something that these companies are not looking at locating their engines here, which, in turn, might drive job creation here?

The Minister of State might also respond to my question in regard to the 156 partners, the €100 million they are investing and the €200 million being provided by the Exchequer. Is that funding tied down?