Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I understand that. I am delighted the Minister of State accepted Senator McCarthy's amendment. It certainly adds significantly to the section. It is hugely important that competitiveness should go hand in hand with environmentally sustainable development.

What I am really asking is a serious question in terms of how the foundation will work. The foundation will carry out functions which are assigned to it, with the consent of the Minister, by Forfás. I refer here to section 7(1)(f), which states it will carry out functions that may from time to time be assigned to it by Forfás. That is really what it says.

What is the difference between "oriented basic research" and basic research? If they are going to be asked to do something, it has to have some relevance to their work or what they are doing. Forfás will not ask them to do something that has no relevance. Basic research into an area is precisely that and it is not directed beyond it. It is related to or it is dealing with an area of concern. It seems that the word "oriented" confuses the issue. I understand what the Minister of State said, namely, that Forfás will be responsible for informing the Minister.

With respect, the Minister of State did not deal with the area under section 7(3)(c), which states "as may be prescribed from time to time by the Minister." Will the Minister do this on a regular basis and will Forfás select from that what it considers to be important? Is that how it will work?

My main question is about the word "oriented", which seems to confuse matters. I will not push the matter to a vote, but I do not think it helps to include the word in the section.