Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I find this section utterly confusing. Perhaps the problem is in relation to my command of the English language. I support the amendment, which makes perfect sense and I hope the Minister of State will accept it. Section 7 gives Science Foundation Ireland certain authority such as, for example, in paragraph (f), under which it will "carry out such other functions that concern oriented basic research or strategic areas of scientific endeavour as may from time to time be assigned to it, with the consent of the Minister, by Forfás." I am assuming "oriented" means focused, directed or something similar. If, therefore, Forfás decides that an endeavour is oriented towards something called "basic research", it will inform the Minister who will give then give the go-ahead. However, the section also refers to "such other areas as may be prescribed from time to time by the Minister."

I do not know how this is going to work. Who commences the process? Will the Minister prescribe a certain number of issues or areas that concern economic and social benefit or long-term industrial competitiveness? Who will then decide that the functions concern what is "oriented basic research" into those areas? What is the connection between "the Minister and Forfás"? Who will approach whom first and what is the final stage of consultation? Will the Minister talk to himself or herself?