James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps we will agree to disagree as I think it would be useful to create a separate office. Were we to reconstitute the office, it would recognise the status that the Government and the State places on science and research. Another point I make is that currently it is aligned to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Research needs a whole of Government approach. My understanding is that around 2004, when it was created, this office came within the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach. As part of that, it had a whole of Government approach. It is not just the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation that needs that sort of evidence-based policy advice but all of Government.

Yesterday there was, arising from the recent Nevin report, a Topical Issue that I had tabled on the lack of research and development funding. I expected either the Minister or the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to take it or, if not, perhaps the Minister for Education and Skills. I was surprised to see a Minister of State at the Department of Finance take it. It was a good debate and the Minister of State made good points. However, it highlighted the number of stools between which research and development can fall, that is, education, enterprise and, in yesterday's case, finance. Things such as research and development tax credits came into yesterday's debate, which amplifies and highlights the need for a whole of Government approach. Perhaps when considering the chief scientific adviser in whatever guise, at least under the Department of the Taoiseach there was that broad role.

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