Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Exactly. The concerns and scepticism of many when the project was initiated should also have come to the Government's attention when the company failed to achieve self-funding status and was unlikely to do so by 2005. Has the Minister met the staff of 50 whom he mentioned, the innovators and researchers since the announcement of the closure?

Was he aware of the work of the south-west inner city computer clubhouse which, in its infancy, provided excellent opportunities for young children in a disadvantaged area targeted by RAPID and the drugs task force? These children never hoped for such opportunities. What will happen to the clubhouse on the site of Media Lab and will money be set aside to ensure it will continue while the Minister decides the future of the rest of the project?

Were the patents of Media Lab held by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or the State? What is the breakdown of the money which I hope will accrue from much of the innovative work conducted in Media Lab? I visited it shortly before the announcement of its closure. It is to be hoped that some of the projects and patents will make up for some of the bad investment. Has the Minister visited the site and, now that it has closed, has he any intention of doing so to speak to the staff and ascertain their hopes for the company?

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