Results 10,281-10,300 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland)(Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: It is clear that research is delivering. More and more of our foreign direct investment wins are predicated on the research and development infrastructure available in this country. The Irish medical devices sector is ranked ninth of ten in the world. The number of social media and ICT related companies located here and the performance of our research and development sector during the past...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland)(Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I acknowledge the point made by Senator Barrett in speaking of the importance of education. Without wishing to be pedantic, the purposes of the Bill are reasonably clear. Nevertheless, I note the points the Senator makes on the importance of the teaching role and function in education. This area is also part of current deliberations in the restructuring of higher education and its teacher...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland)(Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Should I speak to the amendment given that the Senator proposes to withdraw it?

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland)(Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I do not support the amendments. The main purpose of section 7(1)(e) is to ensure a co-ordinated approach to research among bodies in the State by extending the scope of Science Foundation Ireland's consultation to bodies anywhere. The amendment would dilute this purpose and could increase costs. On amendment No. 13, Science Foundation Ireland's objective is, as set out in the legislation,...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland)(Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I thank Senator Barrett. I will respond in general to some of the points raised by him. Senator Barrett's points are valid and we are conscious of them because we want to ensure we have the best research landscape in the world. That is our ambition and with the meagre resources we have, given we are borrowing ¤300 million per week, we want to prioritise. I take the Senator's point on the...

Topical Issue Debate: Cash for Gold Trade (12 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I ask the Deputy to forgive me for having a prepared response because the Minister is not present to respond. On behalf of the Minister, I thank the Deputy for availing of the Topical Issue procedure for raising this important issue. I assure her, on behalf of the Minister, that her constructive remarks and suggestions will be noted. The Minister looks forward to the Oireachtas...

Topical Issue Debate: Cash for Gold Trade (12 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this important matter. I am speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who regrets he is unable to be present as he is in Dublin Castle in his capacity as Minister for Defence. I can inform the Deputy that on 19 June 2012, the Minister published a report on the criminal justice aspects of the cash for gold trade, which was prepared by...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Services Provision (12 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Enterprise Ireland, one of the Agencies under the remit of my Department, provides hands-on support and advice to entrepreneurs and early stage companies that have an innovative product, service or technology, and have the potential to achieve exports sales and create employment. EI offers a range of financial and non-financial supports to assist clients through all stages of the business...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (7 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I am over time.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (7 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Yes, thank you. In respect of stem-cell research it is important to recognise the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We must take the recent TIMSS and PIRLS exercise which showed that we are doing well on literacy and are above average on mathematics and science subjects at primary level. This was extrapolated from fourth class students. It is vital that we...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (7 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I genuinely thank every Member who has contributed to the debate. I will respond as best I can and some very valid points have been raised. If I do not respond to all of them, I will be happy to respond again on another day, with the permission of the House. Let me begin with the dialogue that has emerged on basic research as opposed to applied research. It has been said we cannot take the...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (7 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I am very grateful.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (7 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I am delighted to be back in the Seanad. I watched the Order of Business outside and could not but be taken by the vim and vigour of those who contributed. I applaud them for their energy, given the work they have had to do in the past 24 hours. The purpose of the Bill is to extend the remit of Science Foundation Ireland to enable it to fund applied research in addition to its existing...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland Grants (5 Feb 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Science Foundation Ireland was formally established through the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act 2003 and its remit covers the provision of research grants to Ireland’s higher education institutions to support research in strategic areas of scientific endeavour that concern the future development and competitiveness of industry and enterprise in Ireland. Prior to...

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Jan 2013)

Seán Sherlock: To repeat the point, we all agree the problem of emigration is scaring the social fabric. However, I do not agree with the rhetoric that it is all negative.

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Jan 2013)

Seán Sherlock: A hell of a lot of initiatives are taking place in our third level institutions, and out there is a boundless creativity which does not work its way into the discourse in a House such as this. One has only to go to these institutions and meet these people. I take issue with the point made by Deputy Tóibín on this.

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Jan 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I repeat the point that if all one's eggs are put into the construction basket and a downturn in the sector occurs, it will give rise to emigration to new areas where there are opportunities such as western Australia, Canada and North America. This is exactly what we are seeing happen. From a sectoral point of view we are seeing this trend. We want to reverse this by creating the...

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Jan 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 13 together. The rise in youth unemployment as a result of the global economic downturn is a challenge for most EU countries. The average EU unemployment rate for those under 25 years of age in the labour force is 23.7%. In Ireland, the youth unemployment rate is 30%, while the long-term unemployment rate is 8.9%. The aim of the Action Plan for...

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Jan 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I acknowledge everything that the Deputy said. There is no getting away from the fact that the rate of youth unemployment is extremely high, including across all of Europe. A strong attempt is being made during Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council to give effect to the youth guarantee and to ensure that we create the climate across Europe, in a way that will benefit Ireland, to ensure a...

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Jan 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Am I out of time?