Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 16:

In page 5, line 15 after ?development,? to insert the following:?or
(d) the enhancement of knowledge in the wider society.?.

I have also mentioned the contents of amendment No. 17, so I will not detain the Minister of State or the House.

We all know picking winners is difficult, and we have 14. Picking winners is not the end of knowledge and prioritisation. Circumstances also change. Would it be a good idea to keep a fund for the disappointed people outside the 14? Could a percentage, perhaps 20%, of the funding be kept so that some projects could operate outside the system? As things evolve, we could observe how a person outside the 14 compares with some of those in the 14, and we might get some very pleasant surprises.

The 14 should not be static. Last year's list of prizewinners at Leopardstown might not be any use in two year's time. We might want to retain this dynamic because research and knowledge is not readily corralled into any area. I accept that the 14 will be, broadly, good but we could never be arrogant enough to say they are exclusive.

The Minister of State mentioned other avenues. The interest in this that people have expressed to me is a tribute to Science Foundation Ireland. I know there are other avenues, but this is the one many people think is really important. That is why they have been knocking on my door and suggesting amendments, which I am delighted to communicate to the House. Science Foundation Ireland is a very important body. If it gets this right, it will be hugely beneficial to the country, which is the goal we all share.

Does the Minister of State have any international evidence that keeping something aside for completely different, free range, blue sky research can yield interesting results? How about people who almost make themselves permanent and pensionable because something was a good idea ten years ago? They will not be giving lectures, so what will they be doing? What use is old hat research when we could have a much more vibrant community if we had more flexibility? If this amendment assists the Minister of State in the future management of the funds that is the spirit in which it is offered to him.