Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress which has been made in finalising the European Union's sixth framework programme for research and development, specifically the details of the provisions for the funding of embryonic stem cell research. [18125/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The sixth framework programme and associated budgetary envelope was adopted by Council decision of 27 June 2002 in respect of the overall programme, and 30 September 2002 in respect of the relevant specific programme, encompassing the various thematic areas, including advanced genomics and its application to health. A total of €1.1 billion has been allocated to that broad thematic area. The theme makes provision for stem cell research. However, no specific funding lines are allocated to individual research topics, nor does the framework programme make a specific distinction between adult and embryonic stem cell research as regards the submission of proposals or the allocation of funding.

At the time of the adoption of the specific programmes in September 2002, it was envisaged that detailed guidelines and safeguards to regulate the conduct of research activity in respect of human embryonic stem cells should be adopted by the end of 2003. In the event, it did not prove possible to secure the necessary qualified majority in Council for the adoption of such guidelines.

Given that situation, responsibility now rests with the Commission to examine such proposals as it may receive for research into stem cells acquired from human embryos, bearing in mind the provisions of the established regulatory procedure which governs research in the area. Under that procedure, and in accordance with the relevant Council decision of 28 June 1999, the Commission refers proposals for projects to the Council if there is no agreement in the programme committee tasked with examining them in the first instance. The Council may, by qualified majority, oppose such proposals. At this point no such proposals have been referred by the Commission to the Council.