Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Does anybody brief the Ireland-America economic advisory board on ongoing developments in the Northern Ireland peace process? Are members of the board updated by embassy officials or a member of the Cabinet? Do members of the board concentrate on bringing some of the more innovative persons involved in industry in the United States to Ireland to see how the country has changed and how it could be attractive for them to locate and invest here? It is becoming perfectly obvious that Ireland needs to invest in innovation, research and patenting, as they will provide the jobs for the next generation. Given the state of play in America this is critical. For instance many of our universities lose out in terms of the packages available for lectureships in faculties in American universities. If it becomes a magnet for that kind of academic research and innovation then Ireland as a country with a proud base in education and a great deal of bright young people will lose out.

While the Ireland-America economic advisory board has played an important part and in its own way has brought about investment here, does the Taoiseach see it moving to a different stage in future given where we are in the competitiveness league and given the future requirements for job creation in Ireland? Does the Taoiseach envisage a different role for the board from what it was established to do?

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