Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The first factor is that 40% of the research of pharmaceutical companies in Europe is now done in America. The figure was 26% approximately six or seven years ago so it is going in the wrong direction. During our Presidency of the EU we have succeeded in obtaining some agreement from member states in respect of the funding of basic research. Heretofore, such research was not funded on the basis of excellence but rather on a pro rata basis across a number of different programmes. The only basis on which EU money should be invested in research of this nature is that they should be the best projects involving the best people and should be internationally peer group reviewed to ensure that this happens.

The second factor is that, regardless of how the financial perspectives pan out, more of the European Union budget must be invested in the area of innovation. Commissioner Busquin has had a great deal to say about that matter. During our Presidency we have taken a hands-on role in respect of EU funding and programmes. We have, in particular, urged that there be a reduction in the bureaucracy surrounding the programmes. For example, the sixth framework programme, which is the current programme to support research in the European Union, is so bureaucratic that many researchers have stated that they would go anywhere for funding but to the EU because they are obliged to spend so much time completing forms and dealing with bureaucratic issues at the expense of their research.

The Irish Council for Science and Technology has an overarching role and it recently produced a code of practice for the commercialisation of research because one of the issues that arises is who owns the intellectual property.

Deputy Howlin is correct that we need greater coherence. I have just circulated a memorandum to my colleagues in the Cabinet suggesting that, similar to the position in other countries, we appoint a new scientific adviser to the Government. In addition, I have recommended that we put in place a new structure, including a Cabinet sub-committee that would be chaired, for example, by the Taoiseach, so that there would be an overarching role across the areas of education, health, agriculture etc., and that matters would not be merely confined to one area. I hope we can win support for that. Just as the Attorney General advises us in respect of legal issues, we need a scientific guru to advise the Government in respect of research and to act as a driver of coherence, particularly as we are spending such enormous sums of money. I am of the opinion that my proposal will receive the support of the Cabinet in the near future.

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