Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have an innovative Minister of State here, in view of what he has done on apprenticeships, education and such like.I congratulate the Minister of State on that. Europe is the home of Curie, Einstein, and Newton. It is the birthplace of modern science and innovation. With names like Boyle, Shackleton and Boole, Ireland has had a proud role in building that tradition of innovation and firming up on that reputation. I note that Shackleton's cabin came home to Kildare, although it is in Clifden at the moment being repaired, and it will be there shortly. More than most in Europe, this island has made a clear name for itself as a place of rich culture and innovation. Irish women and men have drawn from that richness to innovate new approaches and creative interpretations right around the world. Another speaker referred to Dr. William Campbell from Donegal, who won the Nobel Prize.

This freedom of thinking is the putty used by scientists and artists to shape ideas that carry the sciences and the arts forward in new and exciting directions. All of this represents the boom of modern European democracies. Where Europe's past economies were powered by conquest, its modern economies are powered by creative ideas and innovation. There are new players on the world stage now. Where once Europe was the only horse at the races, the US overtook us in the 20th century as the major world economy. The past 50 years have seen China race forward, although it may be slowing down a little now. While there was a recent hiccup it was considered the economy to watch. Other countries such as Brazil and India are also pushing forward. That is good news for the developing world. The inequality that was once seen as a given is now a receding reality in a world were once-subject nations take their place on the world stage.

While that is good news on one level, as Europeans we greet the aggressive shift in economic power with caution. One of the roles of the European Union is to make sure that Europe continues to play a major role in order that together we can support what we are best at, namely, innovation. As a brain economy, and the home of many of the world's biggest brain businesses, particularly information technology, Ireland is rightly seen as a key player in Europe's brain economy. I also mention the pharma sector for all the research and innovation going on in this country. We welcome supports from the EU for research and innovation. It is with all of this as background that Horizon 2020 funds research and innovation in EU member states. It is not news to this House that the focus of this Fine Gael-led Government, along with the Labour Party, is regaining stability for our nation. We must look after that and not squander it, given the dignity created for people through jobs that have emerged from creative ideas and innovation. We know that Irish jobs today mean support for innovation.

Spearheaded by Enterprise Ireland, Irish innovators and businesses have received €127 million in the programme's first year. As expected, Ireland is punching above its weight in terms of our success. Congratulations are due to those individuals, businesses and educational research institutes who continue to claim a role in building not just Ireland's economic future, but Europe's economic future. That is something of which we can be very proud.

We must always try to advance the percentage of GDP but it must be acknowledged that it has increased from €1.8 billion to €2.7 billion. Ireland and Slovenia are the highest achieving in the business sector for innovation. I agree with what Senator Barrett said about the fact that we are not in that category in terms of research in the education sector. Creative minds do not just happen, they must be inculcated. I support the early intervention programme being introduced by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Reilly. That is when innovation starts. It is like birdsong and the hummingbird. If young people are not channelled towards creativity and innovation early in life, then one loses the ability. I accept third level education is important but we must consider how innovative minds are created. As Maria Montessori said, the inquiring mind is created from nought to three years and three to six years. Edward Sagan made a similar point. I want the message to go out loud and clear when we speak about the Horizon programme. What is important is early intervention, creativity and innovation in education.

This country is now economically stable. Ours is the fastest growing economy in the EU today. That is amazing news after what happened to our economy. Innovation is central to that success and central to our future. We must ensure that we continue to create innovative minds. It is the free thinker who becomes an innovative spirit. We are going down that road in education.

Our membership of the European Union is key to our continuing success, and Horizon 2020 is a key part of that. It is important to note that something that is not addressed is that innovation needs two things, first, innovating thinking, which is helped by the education process and early intervention and, second, support is needed to turn ideas into something real and marketable. Funding and innovation vouchers, through Enterprise Ireland, are part of the support that is available. We rate highly in terms of funding to business but more funding should be available to small and medium enterprises. If support could be somewhat increased then the small ideas could be turned into something real and marketable. Many companies have real ideas but they require help getting the ideas to the marketplace. There can be stumbling blocks to getting to that stage. With the European Union, through Horizon 2020, Ireland can now offer more support. We must continue to focus on creating learning environments where young people have the freedom, not just to learn but to think. It is important to learn how to learn.