Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I congratulate the Minister of State on his new position and welcome him to the House.

I have a difficulty in adding to what has been said because Senator Donohoe explained it so well and Senators Twomey and O'Toole have both added to it. We must find a way to identify research and development that are not at the core of the business. In my own business some years ago the primary focus was on the selling of food and the running of supermarkets. When the plastic bag levy was introduced, we wondered what we should do. We developed a bag that was so novel it is now being used right around the world. There are millions of them in Australia, South Africa and elsewhere. That was not at the core of our business. Right around the country there are examples of research and development planned not for the core business but for a different aspect that has been hugely successful. This is intellectual added value that we must encourage.

Senator O'Toole touched on the issue; we will not be involved in manufacturing again in the future. This means, however, that we can manage manufacturing from here. It is highly unlikely the amendment will be accepted at this point but we should consider it. It is worthy of consideration because it does exactly what we want in terms of encouraging start-up companies that would otherwise not be in a position to establish themselves owing to the constraints they face. I urge the Minister of State to accept the recommendation on the grounds that it is worthwhile and will give an incentive to those who might not otherwise establish companies.