asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the plans he has to implement the new agreement between the United States and Ireland on the development of technology-based joint projects; if these projects will be located in technology parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Technology-Based Joint Projects.
6.
This proposed agreement between the United States and Ireland will enter into force on signature. Arrangements are now being made for signature, within the next few weeks, by the Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the United States, and by the Minister for Industry and Commerce on behalf of Ireland.
Articles 3 to 6 of the proposed agreement's text, as laid before the House, provide that its implementation will be effected by an executive officer to be appointed by the IDA. This officer will work in conjunction with a designated US Commerce Department official and under the general supervision of a US/Irish joint advisory committee. I will, therefore, have no direct role in the implementation of the agreement.
To prevent any misconceptions about the word "project" as it is used in this agreement, I should explain that a project could take any one of a number of forms, ranging from the purchase of a technology licence or patent rights to new joint greenfield industrial projects. The agreement has been designed to be flexible and to cover the full range of needs of a wide variety of firms. Most projects will take place between existing firms at their existing locations in both the US and Ireland. There is no necessary connection, therefore, with technology parks in this matter.
It is of course possible that in cases where a project results in the establishment of a new firm in Ireland, a technology park location could be decided only by the firms involved.
The Minister of State has basically repeated most of his script used in the recent debate on this matter. I wish to ask again the question to which I am seeking an answer. Would the Minister agree that the original intention of this Government in designating technology parks has now been severely watered down? Indeed, all that we are left with is a theme. Specifically, does that mean that firms that have a technology base can be designated for various parts of the country without necessarily being part of a specific technology park, in other words, that there is not to be any specific technology park? Would he not see this agreement as a basis for the development of technology parks which development is taking place throughout Europe at the moment and specifically in the United Kingdom? Would he not see this as an opportunity to develop the Government's original intention of a designated area of a technology park?
I am afraid that the Deputy has departed slightly from the details of his question which related to whether technology parks might be encompassed in the science and technology programme. He asked that question in relation to the agreement which was ratified here in Dáil Éireann last week and which will be signed within a matter of weeks. As I have said, I shall have no direct role in implementing that agreement. It is for firms both in Ireland and the United States to propose projects. This will be industry driven. I expect a very wide range of industrial sectors to be involved. There are few sectors where the process, if not the product, cannot be improved by technology and research. It would be reasonable, however, to assume that there would be a fairly strong showing for the more technology-intensive sectors such as electronics, chemicals and bio-technology.
The question of technology parks will be decided on by the industries which will be involved as a result of the agreement. I have some control over it and there is no question of the Government watering down their programme on science and technology, which may include technology parks.
Will the Minister of State have a discussion with the new executive officer who has been appointed to help him to implement this programme? Will he also discuss the possibility of utilising this agreement for the development of technology parks? That is a straighforward question which deserves a straightforward answer. The Minister did not answer my second question. What does he describe as a technology park? Is it the original idea that it should be a designated area as a pilot programme in the south-east? If that is the case, will the Minister say so?
I wish to remind the House that there are two other Priority Questions to dispose of within the prescribed time.
The question of whether technology parks become involved is up to the firms who decide where to locate their industries. I appreciate that Deputy Cullen is very concerned about the south-east region, especially Waterford, but I am sure he is aware that there is already an industrial park in Waterford under the management of the Industrial Development Authority. At present there is space available in this park for new projects and there is also further land available for development. Therefore, the question of establishing a technology park in the south-east region is really a question of finding appropriate projects which would form part of that park. This is something in relation to the agreement over which I do not have specific control.