John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is a priority laid down by Europe under the Horizon 2020 programme in innovation, research and development that all countries should try to reach the 2.5% of GNP target. It has proven extremely difficult with most countries, as with ourselves. For example, the Deputy made the point about the availability of scientists and engineers. This is why substantial funding is being put into new PhD programmes to ensure there is no shortage. It would be a folly to say that based on the fiscal space we have, we would be able to compete wholeheartedly with some of the bigger economies. It is not possible currently and no Government, on the basis of our fiscal position over the next five or ten years, would be in a position to do that.

Looking at our investment in research and development and innovation, as well as our monitoring across Europe and the world and how we are ranked in most science programmes in the world, one can see we are doing exceptionally well. As the Minister of State dealing with research and development, it is important that I say that every effort will be made by 2020 to reach the target of 2.5% of GNP. It would be wrong of me to say we are not going to or cannot reach it. I can guarantee that every effort will be made to reach that target. The national development plan has mentioned that and it is one of the vehicles allowing us to try to hit the target. It is also very important to note that this does not relate solely to public funding and there are public-private partnerships, as the Deputy knows.