Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 7

Written Answers. - Science and Technology Reports.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

142 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on whether he has not sufficiently prioritised the report entitled, State Investment in Science and Technology 1995, as it was published in July 1996 and the Tierney report tells us that technical progress causes 60 per cent of economic growth. [10259/97]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Since the Minister of State with responsibility for Commerce, Science and Technology took up office, he has ensured that the annual reports on state investment in science and technology have always been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. In fact the annual report for 1995 was laid before the Houses in February 1996.

The report for 1996 was laid before the Houses, and published, in November of that year in line with the Minister's aim to improve the timeliness with which these reports are made available.

These annual reports are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas pursuant to section 9 of the Science and Technology Act, 1987, as continued by the Industrial Development Act, 1993. The Acts do not impose a requirement for a debate. However, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Minister has been active in bringing STI into the public arena and has initiated debates on the Tierney report of the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council in the Seanad and Dáil. In addition the Minister has addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs on EU aspects of his Science and Technology portfolio. As recently as last December the Minister initiated a debate in the Seanad on the Government's new White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Minister is of the strong belief that, as set out in the recent White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, there is a weak representation of STI issues in public affairs. In the area of awareness our aim must be to bring about a significant cultural shift in attitudes and to bring about better communication, interaction and mutual understanding between the scientific community, industry, Government, the media and the public.