Gilmore criticises lack of activity of sub-committees

The Cabinet sub-committee on science, technology and innovation has yet to meet even though it was established five months ago, while the climate change sub-committee has met just once since the Government was formed, it emerged in the Dáil.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said it indicated that "the foot is off the pedal" for science, technology and innovation in the economy, and it was "surprising to say the least" that it had yet to meet given its importance.

It was "incredible" that the committee established "by a Government which is supposedly committed to dealing with climate change has met only once".

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the Labour leader seemed to misunderstand. "The fact that the issue is being dealt with by the Cabinet instead of a sub-committee means that it is taking up more time and is given a higher priority.

"Rather than being addressed in a sub-committee comprising four or five Ministers, the issue is being addressed by the full Cabinet. That is what has been happening in respect of climate change, and it is likely that it will continue to be addressed that way until the end of the year, even though a meeting will be held shortly to discuss certain issues."

During Taoiseach's question time, Mr Ahern said he was a member of six Cabinet sub-committees, and he told Mr Gilmore that the science committee usually met quarterly.

The Labour leader replied: "Am I to understand that in a country where we aspire to develop a new economy based on science and innovation, the Cabinet committee on science, technology and innovation has not met at all since the Government was formed in June?"

He was also "perplexed as to why the climate change committee has met on only one occasion".

Mr Ahern said "items are discussed at Cabinet committee if they cannot be discussed by the Government". They got a higher priority at Cabinet. It was "not necessary to have Cabinet committee meetings unless we are bringing in individuals who would not attend meetings of the Cabinet, and there probably wasn't one".