Govt still ignoring warnings from its own advisers

Fine Gael Innovation Spokesperson Deirdre Clune TD has welcomed the National Competitiveness Council’s focus on Innovation, Research & Technology as vital elements in our economic recovery, but said she is disappointed the Government is still not tackling competitiveness issues.

Deputy Clune called for this area to be made a Government priority for action once the Innovation Taskforce Report is published.

The National Competitiveness Council (NCC)’s Annual Competitiveness Report (PDF 1,734KB) focused on the need to promote investment in research, development and innovation as a key area if Ireland is to recover the ability to compete successfully in the global market.

The NCC recommends prioritising Government Spending in this area, coordinating Research & Development funding and reviewing the R&D tax credit so it works more effectively.

The NCC believes ‘responsibility to innovate rests primarily with enterprise and individuals themselves; however, public policies that support and enable innovation are also important’.

It is this willingness to promote, support and enable innovation that continues to be absent at the highest level of Government. Two years into an economic downturn the Government is alone in not yet realising the key roles innovation, research and technology can play in our recovery.

The Government’s 28 member Innovation Taskforce was established last June to submit recommendations to the Government within six months. I would expect that the detailed recommendations of the Taskforce will be closely linked to the proposals put forward by the NCC.

This Government has been second to none in its willingness to establish taskforces and review bodies, only to leave their reports sitting on the shelf. I hope the NCC’s latest report, and the Innovation Taskforce’s Report which is soon to be published, do not end up as another two reports sitting on Brian Cowen’s bookshelf.