I move amendment No. 1:
In page 3, paragraph (b), to delete lines 17 to 22 and substitute the following:
"(i) the carrying out of scientific and technological research and/or development and any research in other fields directly supportive of scientific or technological developments,".
The Bill involves two amendments to the original Scientific and Technological Education (Investment) Fund Act, namely, the introduction of an additional £30 million into the fund and a broadening of the focus of research and development to include research in any area of education including science and technology. Therefore, the Bill involves a significant broadening of the scope of the original Act.
The Bill has the potential to permit the funding not only of scientific and technological research but also research into other areas of education such as law, teaching methods, economics, physics, etc. We risk broadening the base of work supported by the fund to such an extent that any department of a university with research under way can look to the fund as a possible source of finance. As a result the focus will move from being strictly targeted on science and technology to being targeted on the humanities, the law or economics. Having worked in research in the area of socio-economics, I am aware that the appetite for research in that area knows no bounds.
I am concerned that many worthy projects in the area of economic and social research will seek finance from the fund, which was not the original intention. When the Oireachtas agreed to establish the fund it did so in the belief that we need to take a strategic view of the sorts of technologies which will be crucial to future economic success. It was not envisaged that the fund would have the broader economic, social and educational focus it is now being given.
Amendment No. 1 takes on board something of the broadening of the scope of the fund by stating that the focus of research will lean towards the scientific and technological but will also include any research in other fields which will be supportive of scientific or technological developments. For example, if electronic mail, information technology and electronic commerce become key areas of scientific and technological development for Ireland in respect of which we want to develop strength and competence, legal issues surrounding the use of electronic transfer will become crucial to whether we position ourselves to become successful in the use of this new type of technology. If such issues emerge from a strategic area of science and technology that we have identified as being of benefit to Ireland, it is appropriate that the fund should finance research into overcoming such legal or technical difficulties, despite the fact that they may not be scientific or technological in nature.
I will be satisfied if the approach I have outlined is followed. However, I am far from convinced, having heard what the Minister said both on Second Stage and when he launched the fund. Everyone will state that they agree with economic and social research, research into the humanities, etc. However, should such research be paid for out of this fund, thereby reducing the amount of money available for improving Ireland's position in respect of science and technology? The case for this is not properly proven by the Minister and I would prefer to maintain a tighter focus on the money being voted for this Bill which emerged as a result a specific need.
I am not satisfied that the Bill properly encompasses the concept of appointing a proper board to take a long-term strategic view of Ireland's needs in this area. However, I am glad to hear that the Minister intends to appoint a group to advise on the selection of research projects. The Minister will recall, from the Committee Stage debate on the original legislation, that I believe a board comprising strong industrial and other representation should help to identify the strategic areas where money should be invested. We have come halfway in that regard but we have again failed to give the board statutory recognition. The Minister has not proved that there is a need to dramatically change the focus of research to be financed from the fund. I offer this amendment to travel some of the road with him in the context of Ireland's strategic science and technology needs.