The introduction of GM foods throughout Europe had been very poorly managed, and issues of public safety remained to be addressed, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, has said.
Despite this and recent controversy over the inadvertent planting of a GM crop in Ireland, the Government remained committed to biotechnology, including GM food research, she told a national conference in UCD on Irish agri-food biotechnology.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said recent Government initiatives had put Ireland in pole position to capitalise on biotechnology, which was set to become a major sector for worldwide innovation and growth.
It would also become an integral part of industrial development strategy, Ms Harney said. This was reflected in the £1.95 billion investment in research and development, but particularly in the Technology Foresight Fund of £560 million under the National Development Plan.
While not commenting on the Department of Agriculture's admission this week that it unwittingly planted oilseed rape containing GM material, Ms Harney said all issues of public concern surrounding GM foods had to be addressed.
An interdepartmental group looking at gene technology would report shortly, the Tanaiste said. The process of implementing the Technology Foresight Fund was also very much on schedule. She expected to receive a report from a high-level advisory group on its implementation and on the establishment of a foundation later this month. The first call for research proposals was likely to be early autumn.
Funding would not go to institutions but to individuals and teams proposing "world-class" projects. This was essential, if the Republic was to achieve "street cred" in the global biotechnology sector.
