Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Farrell for the amendment. My instinct and desire was to accept it because we share the view. The point I referenced earlier and I am happy for us both to reflect on this and tease it through further on Report Stage is the unintended legal consequence the legal drafters expressed with regard to putting a new public good test, for want of a better phrase and that is my word not theirs, in the legislation and their view it could create an unworkable level of complexity. If something was not able to be measured in terms of public good could, it have an accidental intent of limiting the ability to provide funding?

The broader point made by the Deputy is entirely correct. Research, science and innovation must be seen for economic benefit of course but also societal benefit. We have outlined very clearly that in Impact 2030. Also in Horizon Europe in the European research area, there is movement towards research which has societal impact as well as economic impact. It is not a point of policy disagreement; it is just a wording and legal concern the drafters had.