Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Animal Experiments.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

67 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will confirm that the membership of the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council will include an expert in animal welfare in order to ensure the implementation of the provisions of Article 5 of EU Directive 86/609/EEC on the accommodation and conditions for laboratory animals; and if it will include a person qualified to advise on ethical grounds as to whether scientific projects involving experiments on live animals should be permitted, or permitted only if they use non-animal research methods instead in accordance with the provisions of Articles 9 and 6 in view of the fact that the Directive requires member states to designate a competent authority with access to expert advice to ensure that the aims and provision of the Directive are successfully implemented. [18828/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment (Miss Harney)

The role of the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation is to advise Government on the strategic direction of science and technology policy, embracing all aspects including scientific research, third level education, technology and R&D in industry, financing of innovation, public awareness of S&T, and prioritisation of State spending on S&T. Appointments to the council were made in a personal capacity and on the basis of particular expertise, including scientific disciplines which will be key to our industrial future, rather than as representatives of any sectoral interest.

The council is not intended to supplant or cut across the work of any special expert groups in any particular area or to otherwise assume specific functions arising out of EU directives. In the case of the directive referred to in this question, responsibility for this lies with the Department of Health and Children.