Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Research plays a vital role in the critical linkage between product identity, product development, employment and exporting. Some academics and people in the media have claimed this research has become very skewed and too utilitarian, that research should have a much broader vision and that Ireland's reputation may be damaged if this narrowing of the research mandate and focus continues. I do not know whether this is a concern. I am sure the Minister has read about it. What is his opinion on it? Does he agree with this criticism? Finding the balance between pure research and utilitarian research is difficult.