Ms Pauline Mulligan:

The 2.5% target set in 2011 must be seen in context. The EU target was set at 3%; we set a target of 2.5% of GNP based on the economic and fiscal situation at the time. The target was considered challenging but achievable. We are on track to achieve it towards 2020. In terms of whether we should go further as soon as we reach the target, we should aim higher in general terms. In terms of context and in comparison with other EU countries, we are in the second tier of countries in innovation performance in the EU. The 2012 Innovation Union scoreboard ranked Ireland as one of the innovation followers, alongside countries such as France, the UK and the Netherlands. This shows a performance close to the EU average, which is a significant achievement. We must maintain it and we should have more ambition. We should try to get into the leaders' category. There is room for improvement. The range of policy measures in place is about targeting investment and increasing commercialisation and collaboration in the research we are doing. We have a strategy to improve things.