Speech by Neil Kinnock, to the Industrial Research and Development Advisory committee of the European Commission - "The role of research in transport policy" - Brussels, 24 October 1996 - Part 3

The second and final reference I'd like to make is to dissemination and exploitation of research results. Naturally, I heed your Opinion on this issue and would concur with the view that there should not be a special additional programme. I would simply emphasise therefore that deliberate effort should be put into dissemination "in the context of specific programmes and projects".

The reason for making this emphasis is my strong feeling that there is great need to be able to show to governments, industries and the public at large the added value coming from European research efforts.

Like justice, research that is assisted with public funds not only needs to be done, but also needs to be seen to be done. That is not a defensive view. It arises from the fact that proper public value will only be put on research and proper public investment will only be made in research when its benefits are understood.

As a Commissioner and, more importantly, as a taxpayer, I want to be able to say with confidence that without EU research funds, we will continue to have thirteen different and often incompatible cab signalling systems in the Union and we will never get the European Rail Traffic Management System that is vital for every possible social and economic reason.

I want to be able to say with confidence that EU research funds are absolutely essential to develop the maritime black box technology needed to provide the speedy and accurate analysis of the causes of accidents at sea that is vital for prevention of future catastrophes.

The same applies to Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment, to the development of intermodality, to the defeat of congestion and the reduction of pollution.

I want, in short, to be able to show clearly and publicly that research makes a progressive and productive difference - and effective dissemination of results is clearly critical for that.

The very practical approach which you have taken in your Opinion encourages me to think that this Advisory Committee shares that view and I welcome it warmly.

I thank you for that and for the considerable efforts which you have obviously invested in preparing this opinion.

Your expertise is valued and, as the final form of the Fifth Framework Programme emerges, I hope that you will feel that your input has exercised strong influence on the direction and substance of that strategy."