Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I find myself in the unacceptable situation today where I agree with the Minister of State on two separate Bills. It does not happen too often but we support both this Bill and the Bill on symphysiotomy. Even a stopped clock can be right twice a day.

We welcome this Bill because it recognises and reflects the role of scientific investigation in society and the economy. Thomas Davis, a founder member of the Young Ireland movement, coined the phrase "Educate that you may be free". This phrase rings true today but we might say now "Innovate that you may prosper". Innovation, learning and research are critical to the development of any society and the economy. That is why we are so hard on the Government on education cuts because it is impossible to create a smart economy if we do not invest in education.

We welcome this Bill because it will update the remit of Science Foundation Ireland to reflect the continuum between oriented basic research and applied research. This continuum can be seen across a number of fields. The Government's action plan for jobs promotes investment in big data. The value is not only found in data warehousing but also in data analytics. The development of complex algorithms to draw information from huge data sets finds its basis in pure mathematics.

I am reminded of the 2010 Nobel Prize winners for physics, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov from the University of Manchester. They won their award for the development of graphene, the world's thinnest material. At one atom in thickness, it is a two dimensional material. With its conductive power, this material will revolutionise production and products in a way we cannot fully realise at present. The discovery of this material was not the result of economic demand; the researchers sought to challenge themselves to see how thin they could make a piece of graphite. This was discovery for discovery's sake.

The connection between basic research and application is a process that must be supported along the continuum from discovery to development. The Minister must ensure all of these steps are supported along the process to ensure no gaps emerge.

Often it is the cross-fertilisation of innovators from different sectors that creates the most interesting and applicable innovations in science.

I hope that SFI does not shy away from basic research to support some of the immediate returns on applied research. The Minister is cognisant of the need for support for, and the balance in the funding of, both. The Minister should build safeguards to allow, where possible, a return of investment of public moneys.

I welcome section 4 which gives SFI the ability to promote and support the study of education and engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, it cannot be left to SFI alone. I note the Government's commitment to ensure that every second-level school has access to broadband within two years. However, we are still short on the same target for primary schools. The study of computer science or IT has been an option in the North of Ireland at GCSE or A Level for the past 25 years but this is not available for the junior certificate and leaving certificate.

The success of the CoderDojo project in this State has shown a huge hunger and the ability of young people for learning of this type. If the Government is serious about promoting stem subjects, it will require investment. My party would support investment, not only at graduate and post-graduate levels but also at primary and second level. If we are to make the ICT sector a major employer, it must be an equal option for students in Oldcastle, Navan, Ballymun, Ballyfermot, Derry and elsewhere.

With regards to the all-island nature of technology and science, I welcome section 5 that provides for SFI to work with and disburse funds in the North of Ireland. An island the size of our own needs to use its resources wisely and productively. The transfer of research and learning does not recognise an arbitrary line on a map; neither should we. Research development across the island must benefit all the people of the country and the economy. We have skilled researchers in Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster who can contribute who can contribute in partnership with institutions in this State. As always, working together we can be stronger than the sum of our parts. Maybe this is a piece of research that needs to be done on the move from basic research into applied research, the move from the theory of the benefits of unity to the practical benefits of unity.

I understand that section 8, as applied to section 11 of the Industrial Development Act 1986, lifts the prohibition on Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland from providing support and grants to enterprises within the Shannon Free Zone. This section jars with the rest of the legislation and it seems to be a separate matter. While I recognise that the Government has plans with regards to the future of Shannon Airport, I am concerned that this measure should really be taken forward as part of a full suite of proposals for the development of the south west in a coherent fashion, not merely in a fractured fashion in this Bill.

Section 9 appears to follow the collection and collation of information by Forfás. I support this provision in so far as the collection of such data is important for the evaluation and monitoring of Government policy and performance. The old management adage that one cannot manage if one cannot measure is important here. We, as legislators, cannot manage fully if we cannot measure. Openness and transparency should be watch-words for democracy in Government and I have previously asked the Minister to outline how this information would be made public. On a number of occasions, I have sought information on the success of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in job creation in specific sites and the stock answer is that such information is commercially sensitive. Interestingly, when these jobs are announced the information is not deemed to be commercially sensitive. It is only if the jobs are fulfilled that it is deemed to be commercially sensitive. It is that measuring ability that is key in this House. I would also hope that the Minister will ensure that information gathered by Forfás is available for scrutiny.

I hope the Minister reflects on the points I have raised. There is much in this Bill that my party will support. However, the Minister needs to ensure that a balance between orientated basic research and applied research is reached and maintained. I believe that this is the intention of the Minister and I wish him well in the legislation.

See this speech in context