Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

We all acknowledge that, on the basis of his previous job, the Minister is extremely good at commissioning reports, but we would like to see results.

There is nothing other than the 2010 target date to achieve the level of research and development that those who are charged with formulating the new strategy for Europe regard as critical now. Does the Minister of State regard this deficiency as posing the greatest threat to the continuation in the State of competitiveness and the new era of job growth based on new technologies such as biotechnology and nanotechnology?

Given that Ireland is so far behind now and that all the strategies implemented by the Government parties over the past seven years have resulted in a less than impressive research budget in comparison with our European colleagues, how can we be confident the 2010 target will be achieved?

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