Results 1-20 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Michael Ahern: That is the Senator's warped interpretation.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: Section 2(1) defines "institution" as any institute, college, laboratory, office or service wholly or partly engaged in research and development or any activity related to science and technology. This amendment adds "university" to the definition.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: It is already there. The definition includes any institute.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: It does. Amendment agreed to. Section 2, as amended, agreed to. Sections 3 to 6, inclusive, agreed to. SECTION 7. Government amendment No. 2: In page 8, subsection (1)(g), line 12, to delete "in the State".

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: The deletion of "in the State" will allow the foundation to co-operate and collaborate with other similar bodies outside the State and within the State. This amendment encourages the foundation to establish links with other research bodies internationally, particularly in Northern Ireland.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: This is a drafting amendment in the definition of strategic areas of scientific endeavours. The word "or" was omitted from the text. Strategic areas of scientific endeavour are defined as information and communication technologies, biotechnology and such other areas that concern economic and social benefit or long-term industrial competitiveness as may be prescribed from time to time by the...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: I do not propose to accept amendment No. 4, as drafted. While I accept the intent behind the amendment, I wish to make it clear that the requirements are not cumulative. That is the reason for the insertion of the word "or" in my amendment. However, a technical amendment would be required so that, when aligned with my amendment, the text would read "such other areas that concern economic and...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: With regard to a query by Senator O'Toole, there was a technology foresight exercise carried out which involved people from the universities, the institutes of technology and other areas. They looked at what they considered necessary to drive the development of science and technology ahead in this country and came up with the Science and Technology Institute and highlighted bio-technology and...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: The SFI is an agency of Forfás which can transfer functions to it, where appropriate. Similarly, this section gives Forfás power to transfer functions to the SFI. It also gives power to the Minister to transfer functions. That is the reason for section 7(1)(f).

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: Oriented basic research is carried out with the expectation that it will produce a broad base of knowledge likely to form the background to the solution of recognised or expected current or future problems or possibilities.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: It comes from the OECD Frascati Manual which defines the meaning.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: It is also defined earlier in the Bill. I will withdraw amendment No. 3 and move a substitute amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Government amendment No. 3a: In page 8, subsection (3)(c), line 20, after "competitiveness" to insert "or environmentally sustainable development". Amendment agreed to. Amendment No. 4 not moved. Section 7, as amended, agreed to. Section 8 agreed to. SECTION...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: This is a standard provision providing for an equitable balance between men and women on the board, having regard to relevant experience. At present, there are four women on the SFI board.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: There are 17 men and four women.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: The board is an interim body of 21 members. The new board will comprise 12 members and there is no stipulation in the Bill that will limit the number of males or females on it. I will communicate the Senator's comments to the Minister, of which I am sure she will take note. Question put and agreed to. Section 10 agreed to. SECTION 11. Question proposed: "That section 11 stand part of the Bill."

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: I agree with the Senator that the whole thing should be moved to Youghal but no place has been determined for meetings and, given that Science Foundation Ireland will be involved on the international stage, it is likely that some meetings will take place outside the country. The board will determine the most suitable venue at a particular time.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: No.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: The headquarters at the moment are in the IDA's headquarters in Dublin but I am sure the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, will take note of the Senator's concerns and I will pass them on to him.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: There are some 20 staff in SFI who share facilities with other agencies and those people will have to be taken into consideration if they are to be moved. Question put and agreed to. SECTION 12. Question proposed: "That section 12 stand part of the Bill."

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

Michael Ahern: Section 12 prohibits Members of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or local authorities from membership of the board. This is now a standard provision in legislation establishing a public body. Similar provisions apply to the board members of Forfás, IDA and Enterprise Ireland under the Industrial Development Act 1993 and the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998. It is...