Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013
281. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the intellectual property protocol here contributes to the country's attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment, particularly in the areas of ICT and research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12579/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Intellectual Property Protocol is to encourage the commercialisation of all forms of intellectual property arising from research in the publicly funded research sector, with a view to maximising the economic and societal benefits, in particular the creation of sustainable jobs. The IP Protocol aims to encourage industry – both indigenous and FDI companies – and across all sectors, to collaborate with Ireland’s universities, institutes of technology and other publicly funded research institutions; to use and commercialise the IP generated from such research and turn it into products and services for the global marketplace.
A key feature of the IP Protocol is that it establishes “ground rules” which must be followed when agreeing terms around ownership of and access to all State funded intellectual property. Feedback from industry, in particular, small and medium enterprises, is that this provides clarity and certainty and makes it easier to engage with research performing organisations to commercialise IP arising from State funded research.
Another key aspect of the IP Protocol centres around the development of a ‘one stop shop’ for businesses seeking to use IP deriving from publicly funded research. This will be achieved through the establishment of a ‘central Technology Transfer Office’ to provide an effective interface between industry and the research community and which will also drive a world class technology transfer system in Ireland, ensuring it is responsive to the needs of both industry and academia. This will improve Ireland’s attractiveness for FDI, in particular for research and development across all sectors, including ICT. It will place Ireland in a competitive position internationally and is part of a series of Government measures aimed at realising the vision for Ireland to become the best small country in the world in which to do business. Work on the establishment of the cTTO is progressing well. Recruitment for the Director of the cTTO is underway and expected to be completed by Q3 2013.
