Northern Ireland's research and development must be co-ordinated or we will stay in the "age of steam", an MLA has said.

Alban Maginness was speaking during an Assembly debate about a report commissioned by the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, which he chairs.

The report focused on developing Northern Ireland’s economy through innovation, research and development (R&D) and the idea came after MLAs realised Northern Ireland has one of the lowest spends on scientific research anywhere in the UK.

Mr Maginess, who represents North Belfast at Stormont, said: "Innovation and R&D have come to the forefront as key drivers for rebuilding and rebalancing the economy. As far as the current delivery structures for R&D are concerned, we are living in the golden age of steam when what we need in reality is a high-speed, high capacity link straight to the heart of Europe and beyond."

He said structures needed to improve to blend R&D better between government, business and academia and help Northern Ireland access opportunities.

New structures recommended in the report would represent a "holistic approach", Mr Maginess said, and would push Northern Ireland "to the forefront" of R&D.

The committee also called on the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to appoint a Northern Ireland Chief Scientific Officer and set up a Science Steering Group, in the hope of attracting more R&D funding.

Photograph: Northern Ireland Assembly. Pictured are (L-R): Dr Norman Apsley Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Science Park, Committee Chairperson Alban Maginness MLA and Dr Paul Beaney Technical Manager at Cherry Drainage Pipes Ltd. Both Dr Apsley and Dr Beaney provided key evidence to the Committee Inquiry which helped to inform the report.

(NE)