The framework programmes are an important source of support for research and development in Ireland, supplementing our substantial national effort to become a knowledge and innovation driven society. Irish researchers secured €115 million in funding from the previous programme. To date, under FP6, which only commenced last January, we have secured in excess of €40 million. As the programme expands its scope of activities, it is inevitable that policy issues will emerge which require debate. The proposal to provide for embryonic stem cell research is one such issue.