Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael)
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I thank Dr. Lillis. On innovation, I understand research and innovation Ireland will be the name of the new agency. A lot of innovation happens within our universities such as campus spin outs, the technology transfer offices, and the commercialisation of research. How will we improve the actual time it takes to negotiate spin outs from universities in this new agency? How will we rely on the expertise from the likes of Enterprise Ireland which is the enterprise agency in this space working with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment? I know Enterprise Ireland has its new fund, the innovators' initiative. That is based on a needs-led system and that is a proven system. It is very important we rely on evidence-based systems that are shown to have success because we need to build an indigenous industry, namely, Irish and Irish-based start-ups. We cannot just rely on foreign direct investment coming into this country forever and a day. We need to ensure we have that. How will we streamline and work closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment? How will we ensure a focus of funding and not duplication when we are looking at working with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science?