Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Taoiseach back to the House. On 18 December 2008, the Government published Ireland's framework for sustainable economic renewal. That document, although launched with great fanfare, was merely a rehash of a several programmes which were already in place with the notable addition of an innovation fund of €500 million. The document refused to make any of the difficult decisions which need to accompany infrastructural development if we are to give rise to compatibility in innovation with our European Union counterparts. Can the Taoiseach indicate the source of the aforementioned €500 million? Was it allocated through various Departments' Votes or was new money put up?

What is the function of the task force and the four subgroups in regard to encouraging and overseeing the work of universities, third level colleges and other organisations which deal with innovation in the context of the European framework? Clearly, the new Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science will have a substantial budget. Does the Taoiseach envisage the innovation task force having a role in overseeing and encouraging organisations and firms which are interested in innovation to become compatible with the European framework and thereby receive funding for appropriate programmes?

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