Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach if he will convene a meeting of the Ireland-America economic advisory board during his next visit to the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24226/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the arrangements in place within his Department for maintaining contact with the Ireland-America economic advisory board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24227/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach his views on the future role and development of the Ireland-America economic advisory board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27305/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach the function of the Ireland-America economic advisory board and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27679/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.

My next meeting with the Ireland-America economic advisory board has not yet been scheduled but I hope to hold a meeting with the board in the course of a future visit to the United States. It has been the practice for the past number of years to meet the board during the course of my annual visit to Washington over the St. Patrick's Day period.

My Department maintains contact with the board primarily through our embassy in Washington, as well as through annual visits and meetings. As the House will be aware, board members give voluntarily of their time and expertise in a number of ways. I see an important future role for the advisory board. The board provides a structure through which the thinking of the most senior and successful leaders of corporate Irish-America can be conveyed directly, and at the highest level, to Government. The board also constitutes an important resource upon which the Government can draw, as required, for strategic investment advice, including personalised access to key contacts.

Since its establishment, there have been many positive results, both formal and informal, including providing advice on issues such as branding Ireland in the US, helping with important investment projects and securing a deeper involvement on the part of corporate America in Irish affairs. Board members play important but discreet roles in promoting Ireland's interests and in assisting the Government and State agencies such as IDA Ireland.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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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?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have dealt with the advisory board on and off as Minister for Finance and as Taoiseach. Its role changes all the time. The embassy primarily recruits new members from Irish-Americans or Irish people who come to its notice and who are prepared to help. The members of the board are briefed regularly on Northern Ireland. They were in Ireland approximately one year ago when they met a number of Ministers and agencies. They keep in regular contact with IDA Ireland and Forfás. At a meeting, which I believe took place last year, in America, Dr. Bill Harris of Science Foundation Ireland spoke on the topic mentioned by the Deputy.

In the national development plan we are spending €2.5 billion on research and development. A decade ago the country spent practically nothing on research and development. I am very conscious of the Deputy's point. Most foreign direct investment we get and will continue to get comes from the United States. In the areas of biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and in the related information communication technologies our American investments are key. A number of people associated with the Ireland-America economic advisory board are key people — presidents and vice-presidents — in organisations which are immensely helpful to us. The Wyeth organisation has been immensely helpful to us, not only in its investment here but also in other investments.

As the Deputy will know many of the resources given to Irish universities by one particular organisation have been from a very strong member of the economic advisory board. The next meeting will be attended by one if not more of the university presidents, who will talk on some of the issues the Deputy mentioned to the economic advisory board. Not only do they have the knowledge of this matter, but many of the people they employ would be very helpful in this matter. At every turn we try to get more of them to come here. Many of the members even on their own time go out of their way when they are here on holidays to meet the agencies. So while it works well, I am always open to try to improve it. Perhaps a new group of people is coming forward — those who emigrated to America in the 1980s. This group could be very helpful in securing foreign direct investment for the future.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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When the Taoiseach meets the Ireland-America economic advisory board to what extent does the agenda reflect the detail of specific proposals? Does it address general proposals on inward investment from the United States to this country or does it also address individual cases either being sought, pending or in the process of establishing in this economy? Regarding general proposals, does the Taoiseach seek to ensure a State-wide presentation of the potential and opportunities our economy offers to inward investors from the United States? Does he endeavour to address the imbalance between the south and east of the island, and the Border midlands and west region? The Taoiseach will appreciate that a significant imbalance exists. Counties such as Donegal have been devastated recently by specific manufacturing job losses. My county and that of the Ceann Comhairle is virtually a blank page when it comes to inward investment with a couple of honourable exceptions. Does the Taoiseach make the case for the whole country and endeavour to encourage potential inward investors to look at the opportunities which all parts of the island offer?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that these meetings are meant to encourage people to invest in the island of Ireland and to look at an all-Ireland economy. We try to sell the attractiveness of Ireland. After that, it is the job of the IDA and Forfás to bring people on site visits. Normally we are trying to draw investors who might be considering other locations, increasingly Singapore or Bangalore. That is the challenge today. The IDA has experience in this area over many years and, for example, brought in the presidents of a number of organisations during September. Increasingly we are fighting to attract businesses considering locating outside Europe. A great many new investments are now being made in Bangalore or China, in particular two regions in China, and in Singapore. This is the opposition we have faced while chasing the most recent five or six major projects. We are rarely competing now against another European partner. Generally, therefore, my presentations would be largely kept to the national area, while the IDA for example would follow up.