Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date of establishment of the Advisory Irish Council for Technology, Science and Innovation; if this body is still in existence; the purpose and role of this body; the number of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by himself; the person by whom the remaining members are appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Advisory Science Council was established by Government in April 2005 under Forfás legislation as a successor body to the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. The Council operates within the context of the arrangements put in place by Government in June 2004 for the co-ordination and governance of science, technology and innovation matters, which include the Cabinet Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), the Inter-Departmental Committee for STI and the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser. The role of the Council is (i) to act as the primary interface between stakeholders and policymakers in the STI arena, contributing to the development and delivery of a coherent and effective national strategy on STI; and (ii) to provide advice to Government on medium and longer-term policy for STI and related matters.

The Terms of Reference of the Council state that it will comprise not more than 12 members, including an independent Chair, of which not less than 4 will be from the academic sector and not less than 4 from the enterprise/professional sector, plus a representative from Forfás. All Council members are appointed under Forfás legislation, following consultation with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The appointments may be for a fixed term.

The Government has set a goal for Ireland to become a leader in research and development and innovation and has committed a budget of €8.2 billion under the NDP 2007-2013 and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006-2013 towards achieving this goal. The Advisory Science Council is one of the bodies who are actively working with my Department to ensure that the objectives of the SSTI are realised.