Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the Minister of State will be able to give further clarification regarding amendment No. 4 because I think it is important. I recognise that amendment No. 2 was introduced in recognition of the valid points that were made by Senator Mac Lochlainn on Committee Stage regarding the importance of keeping records. I appreciate that there was some recognition of that. I recognise that amendments have been proposed in a few areas of this Bill. I thank the Minister of State for that.

I am concerned about one aspect of amendment No. 4. I would like the Minister of State to elaborate on the key changes he is making in this amendment. How does he consider that they are addressing the concerns we raised on Second and Committee Stages? As I see it, the key change is that the KDB report: "shall include statistical information in a form, and regarding such matters, as the Minister may direct". Does the Minister of State believe this provision will address the geographical and regional distribution question that was raised by many Senators on Second and Committee Stages and which is the subject of amendment No. 9 in my name?

I have also tabled amendment No. 10, which proposes that the KDB report will include: "such general information as to the operation of the scheme as may be appropriate or relevant".Will the Minister of State indicate how he sees his amendment will address the concerns of amendments Nos. 9 and 10?

Does the Minister of State believe the statistical information could cover amendment No. 7 also? Amendment No. 7 reflects the fact that, under our patents regulation, when they are filed, they are categorised. There is an extraordinarily detailed set of categories in the national report in respect of patents. We may not necessarily need to take on board those same categorisations but what I am attempting to do in amendment No. 7 is to ensure information is collected as to the sectors. If pharmaceuticals or medical devices are key areas of growth or if we are looking for innovation in food production, it would be useful and necessary if the Minister knew research and development was taking place under those sectorial headings. Nobody is looking for precise information as to the exact areas of innovation. Instead, they want to know the areas in which research and development is taking place to ensure sectors prioritised by the State under the Action Plan for Jobs and other initiatives receive funding. It would also ensure research priority areas in our higher education institutions are being complemented. The amendment provides for the collection of useful information which can help in planning and providing the bigger picture as to what is happening in the State. I have left it very wide as an amendment to allow it to be incorporated in the legislation, even in the Dáil.

Amendment No. 9 is also open in seeking figures in respect of the geographical or regional distribution of applications. Today, the Government launched the Action Plan for Jobs. One of its key points is regional distribution. To grow business, as well as an active and vibrant economy leading to employment, we must ensure there is a regional distribution and an all-Ireland approach without parts of the country being left behind. To ascertain whether the knowledge development box is proving to be complementary to that goal of regional action, it would be useful if we had geographical and regional information as to where research and development is taking place.

Those are two key points. These are reasonable amendments. I understand they may fall, so this is my opportunity to speak to them. I apologise for speaking to them at some length. Will the Minister of State clarify how he sees these specific points being addressed? Does he see them falling under the remit of statistical information? Will the statistical information the Minister will be able to direct or require be qualitative as well as quantitative?