John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I am glad the debate has digressed from the content of the motion. In the past several years, new businesses and industries have been created due to the Internet, information technology and mobile telephony. Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, Google and e-mail are examples of how new technologies have changed our lives. However, we are only scratching the surface of the possibilities of these new technologies. For example, fishermen in India who heretofore may have thrown fish overboard because they did not know whether to travel north or south to sell their catches can now ring their onshore contacts to determine where they can get the best prices.

People can use their mobile telephones to get directions through Google Maps or check their e-mail accounts. For those who are interested in maps and mapping, Google is available over the earth. This has created difficulties for repressive regimes such as North Korea because people can view the labour camps and lavish palaces of those who supposedly govern the country in the name of the people. President Obama's campaigners made good use of Google Maps in identifying areas which had previously been canvassed.

It is ironic that just over 50 years ago one of the people responsible for the first IBM computer predicted it would be too expensive to build more than two computers. In fact, practically everything we possess, whether telephones or televisions, have the chips and necessary support to ensure we can communicate better.

This Government realises the need to turn Ireland into a leading knowledge based economy. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, it has ensured our tax regime allows for extra spending on research and development. Indeed, even though the last budget was one of the most difficult in the past 50 years, it nonetheless increased the tax credits available for research and development from 20% to 25%. We will create secure and highly qualified employment through research and development. Our corporation tax rate and outreach efforts have persuaded Google and Facebook to establish operations in Ireland. We must encourage other firms to expand or locate operations in Ireland. In the past decade, the amount spent in this economy on research and development has tripled. That is a positive trajectory given that the most progressive economies, such as Israel, Singapore and the United States, all spend high percentages of their GDP on research and development. We are currently spending 1.66% of GDP in this area and our current trajectory indicates we will meet the Government's target of 2.5% of GDP by 2013. The amount we spend will undoubtedly inspire others because we are a beneficiary of foreign direct investment.

Senator Butler is promoting the excellent Spirit of Ireland project, which is being developed from the ground up by people who are giving their free time to help the nation and provide sustainable energy. The project has practical application to our natural resources. A number of Senators have made useful comments in this regard, including the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Conor Lenihan. His contribution was not off the cuff and it would be somewhat foolhardy for anybody to assume he would speak in that manner.