Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This is about our country and its potential for the future. It is true that enterprise research and development expenditure increased by 31% from €1.32 billion in 2005 to €1.87 billion in 2009. The share of exports from research and development exporting firms increased from 50% in 2003 to 76% in 2007. Among Enterprise Ireland and IDA assisted firms, the number of companies applying for research and development tax credits tripled from under 200 in 2004 to approximately 600 in 2008. We have all made these cases in the House. The Deputy's party was in government during the years I have mentioned. Research and development has always been accepted as being an important part of Ireland's progress and will continue to be so.

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