Vol. 441 No. 3
96 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that pharmaceutical companies involved in research in this country are not discriminated against through the taxation system, with the possible result of a diminution in the amount of research likely to be undertaken by such companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Taxation policy is a matter for the Minister for Finance. I am, however, aware that the Government has asked the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council, which it recently established, to examine how the tax system can encourage the development of research by firms in Ireland, as an input to a White Paper on Science and Technology. Issues relating to pharmaceutical research would be examined in that context.
