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

Question 146: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total invested in delivering commercial intellectual property projects in collaboration with the United States; and the number of projects that have been delivered to date. [37973/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy outlines (Paragraph 7.6.2) the four priority areas identified for collaborative research and consequential knowledge transfer between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States: Nanotechnology; Sensors; Cystic Fibrosis; Diabetes. Respiratory Disorders have been suggested as an additional area for collaborative research.

Knowledge transfer is the process of engaging, for mutual benefit, in the generation, acquisition, application and making accessible of knowledge to enhance material, human, social or environmental well-being. Knowledge transfer for commercial benefit represents a specific sub-set of this broader concept. The immediate challenge in enhancing the capacity for knowledge transfer within the US/Ireland Partnership is to stimulate capabilities, infrastructure and relationships with the objective of identifying, developing and executing joint research projects of interest in all three jurisdictions.

This initial phase of cooperation is being facilitated, for example, through dedicated workshops for experts and institutions (nanotechnology, cystic fibrosis) to identify the likely themes and areas of mutual, complementary interest for projects, the identification of Principal Investigators or lead scientists interested in such collaboration (diabetes), and the mapping of R&D activities underway on the island (sensors).

The intention is these connections and developing communities of knowledge will facilitate the emergence of trilateral research teams to prepare integrated research proposals and compete for funding in appropriate competitions agreed by the three jurisdictions. Part of the infrastructure development is to establish clarity about the terms and processes of such competitions and work is also in train towards this end.

This ongoing structured approach will, in time, lead to realisation of the deeper aspects of knowledge transfer, including commercialisation.