Minister of State for Science Conor Lenihan has strongly criticised the Department of Finance over its approach to research and development.
Calling on researchers gathered at the Enterprise Ireland Awards ceremony in Dublin to support his attempt to convince the Government to invest more in research, Mr Lenihan said the Department of Finance does not get the link between research and development and economic recovery.
He said the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, has an axe which he “seems to use indiscriminately”, adding: “just because he’s my brother doesn’t mean he necessarily listens to me”.
Mr Lenihan also said he believed a smart economy was not possible without investment in research and development.