Professor Diarmuid Hegarty:

It is a very difficult question. There are three definitions in the Bill as drafted, namely, applied research, development and innovation. It would be useful to see a breakdown of the research funding under those three headings in the annual report. I suspect the question of fundamental research might be answered if we look at the amount of funding that went to projects focusing on innovation. If we see too much funding has been on development, maybe that is telling us the focus is too much on applied.

I agree with my colleagues that representation on the board is important but strangely, it is not about where they come from but how they think that matters. It is important, obviously, that the institutions be represented. I accept that and put in a plea for the private institutions to be represented as well. I have served on the Higher Education and Training Awards Council for ten years. It really is the attitude of the individual and his or her thinking that is going to determine his or her contribution. That would be just as much the case with research. I suggest a shorter period of appointment and maybe a frank review, though not a public one, of the performance of the board members in relation to that broadness we are looking for. It might be helpful in that regard. I am sorry, as that is not a strong process answer, but it is the practical answer to the Deputy's question.