Ahern, MichaelTuesday, 11 February 2003 |
Seanad Eireann Debate
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Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages.
Section 2(1) defines “institution” as any institute, college, laboratory, office or service wholly or partly engaged in research and development or any activity related to science and technology. This...
It is already there. The definition includes any institute.
It does. Amendment agreed to. Section 2, as amended, agreed to. Sections 3 to 6, inclusive, agreed to. SECTION 7. Government amendment No. 2: In page 8, subsection (1)(g), line 12, to delete “in the S...
The deletion of “in the State” will allow the foundation to co-operate and collaborate with other similar bodies outside the State and within the State. This amendment encourages the foundation to est...
This is a drafting amendment in the definition of strategic areas of scientific endeavours. The word “or” was omitted from the text. Strategic areas of scientific endeavour are defined as information ...
I do not propose to accept amendment No. 4, as drafted. While I accept the intent behind the amendment, I wish to make it clear that the requirements are not cumulative. That is the reason for the ins...
With regard to a query by Senator O'Toole, there was a technology foresight exercise carried out which involved people from the universities, the institutes of technology and other areas. They looked ...
The SFI is an agency of Forfás which can transfer functions to it, where appropriate. Similarly, this section gives Forfás power to transfer functions to the SFI. It also gives power to the Minister t...
Oriented basic research is carried out with the expectation that it will produce a broad base of knowledge likely to form the background to the solution of recognised or expected current or future pro...
It comes from the OECD Frascati Manual which defines the meaning.
It is also defined earlier in the Bill. I will withdraw amendment No. 3 and move a substitute amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Government amendment No. 3a: In page 8, subsection (3)(c), line...
This is a standard provision providing for an equitable balance between men and women on the board, having regard to relevant experience. At present, there are four women on the SFI board.
There are 17 men and four women.
The board is an interim body of 21 members. The new board will comprise 12 members and there is no stipulation in the Bill that will limit the number of males or females on it. I will communicate the ...
I agree with the Senator that the whole thing should be moved to Youghal but no place has been determined for meetings and, given that Science Foundation Ireland will be involved on the international ...
No.
The headquarters at the moment are in the IDA's headquarters in Dublin but I am sure the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, will take note of the Senator's concerns and I will pass them on to him.
There are some 20 staff in SFI who share facilities with other agencies and those people will have to be taken into consideration if they are to be moved. Question put and agreed to. SECTION 12. Quest...
Section 12 prohibits Members of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or local authorities from membership of the board. This is now a standard provision in legislation establishing a public body. S...
This provision is similar to one included in the Industrial Development Act 1993. A similar provision was included in the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998. It is a provision that h...
The provision in subsection (1)(d) was included in the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998, although it was not included in previous Bills in this area. I will discuss this matter wit...
No.
It is proposed not to accept this amendment. This is a standard provision in this type of legislation. Ministers are answerable to Parliament for policy, while the function of the director general is ...
The amendment changes the term “member of his or her household”, which is an outdated phrase, to “connected relative”. We discussed the issue and have found a precedent for the use of a better word. T...
Section 17 applies to normal day to day operations of Science Foundation Ireland. SFI will be subject to freedom of information and this section will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The ...
This is a drafting amendment which aligns subsection (1) with subsection (2). Amendment agreed to. Section 19, as amended, agreed to. Sections 20 and 21 agreed to. SECTION 22. Question proposed: “That...
The budget comes from the Minister's office. The day to day management is in the hands of the board, chief executive and director general of Science Foundation Ireland and if they wish to employ consu...
This amendment provides a clearer timeframe for the preparation and submission of the accounts for the Comptroller and Auditor General. Four months is allowed for the board to approve the accounts. Be...
The audit is in the hands of the Comptroller and Auditor General whose office is not under the control of the Department. When the Comptroller presents the accounts to the Minister, the Minister will ...
Section 26(1) and (2) are standard provisions in previous industrial development legislation and the Government, in approving the establishment of the technology foresight fund and the foundation in F...
The SFI funds and supports the laboratories in UCC, Trinity and Galway.
The institutes, laboratories, etc. financed by the SFI are normally attached to universities or institutes, but if that is not feasible or practicable it can seek permission from the Government to set...
The relevant Government decision, referred to in the previous amendment, stated that the Minister should consult rather than notify the Government in the event of the foundation deciding to establish ...
This amendment retains the content of the original text and expands it to include (b) above. The effect of the full text now proposed is that where an agency now proposes to give an undertaking of tra...
Senator Leyden's point is valid and we will look at this. Amendment agreed to. Section 29 deleted. SECTION 30. Government amendment No. 19: In page 18, to delete line 38, and substitute the following:...
This is a drafting amendment from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, adding a side note to the text which had been left out. Amendment agreed to. Section 30, as amended, agreed to. Sections 31 t...
I thank all Members for their valuable contributions and their good will towards the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland. As reflected in the debate today and on Second Stage, Ireland's sustai...
| Last Updated: 10/09/2010 17:08:52 |
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