Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The question asked whether the Tánaiste had received a response to her call in Galway to know how we could do better to capture that raw research. It was not quite an alarm bell but an expression of concern at the news that 40% of research and development funding from European companies had gone to North America. What has happened since she made that call? In regard to achieving the objectives set out in her initial response, for example, the commercialisation of intellectual property, who is looking at that now? Is there any direct link between her Department and the Department of Education and Science? Has she sat down with the Minister for Education and Science to see how raw research which is very good here can be better commercialised? Is there any particular overarching structure to deal with thorny issues like intellectual property rights and patenting? Is this matter getting the attention it needs on a cross-departmental level? Does she see a role for herself in driving such co-operation?

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