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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Feb 2017

Vol. 249 No. 14

Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage

As Senator Alice-Mary Higgins is not present, amendments Nos. 16 and 17 cannot be moved.

Amendments Nos. 16 and 17 not moved.
Government amendment No. 18:
In page 19, after line 33, to insert the following:
"Annual report
31. The Act of 1992 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 103:
"103. (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), the Controller shall, as soon as practicable but, in any case, not later than 5 months after the end of each year, make a report in writing to the Minister of the Controller's activities under—
(a) this Act, and
(b) each other enactment for the administration of which the Controller is responsible.
(2) The report shall include, in respect of the year to which it relates, particulars of all rules made in that year under or for the purposes of this Act or other enactment referred to in subsection (1)(b) and an account of all fees, salaries and allowances, and other money, received and paid under this Act or such other enactment.
(3) The Minister shall ensure that a copy of the report is laid before each House of the Oireachtas not later than 6 months after the end of the year to which the report relates.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the Controller to include in the report information the inclusion of which would, in the opinion of the Controller, be likely to prejudice the performance of the Controller’s functions under this Act or other enactment referred to in subsection (1)(b).".".

This is just a quick word to support the amendment which is critical to what we have discussed.

The amendment has already been discussed.

In fairness, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins indicated that she would not proceed with the other two amendments.

I agree with and will be supporting the Government's amendment.

Amendment agreed to.
Bill, as amended, received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

I acknowledge that the Bill has been passed. I urge the Government, perhaps, as it moves through the Dáil, to reconsider some of the amendments, suggestions and arguments put forward. I will be happy to continue to work, as I am sure others will, with the Department on the amendments, in particular those that seek to ensure a proper tracking of information, both on the cost of the knowledge development box and its benefits. I urge that further consideration be given to other amendments during the passage of the Bill through the Dáil.

I thank Senators for their valuable contributions to the debate on the Bill which is a valuable dimension in offering innovation and a positive development for SMEs, for which I have responsibility as Minister of State. As the House will be aware, the Bill will be taken in the Dáil next week. I will certainly take on board what has been said about the reporting provisions. The Minister, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, and I will take the contributions on board as a result. We will try to make this a better Bill for everybody so as to ensure we will have good legislation that will be in the interests of entrepreneurs and those with ideas in the research and development sector which will lead to the creation of jobs. I acknowledge the full engagement and active participation of Senators in the debate on the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 1.55 p.m. and resumed at 2 p.m.
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