National Agricultural Advisory, Education and Research Authority Act, 1977

Research functions.

17.—(1) Without prejudice to the generality of section 11 and subject to subsection (4), it shall be a function of the Authority to review, facilitate, encourage, assist, co-ordinate, promote and undertake agricultural research and basic veterinary research and, in relation to such research, the Authority shall also have such functions as, immediately before the commencement of this section, were exercised or performed or were capable of being exercised or performed by the Minister.

(2) In relation to agricultural research and basic veterinary research, the Authority may, in particular—

(a) make grants, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, to persons engaged in such research for the extension and development of their facilities for carrying out the research,

(b) provide, as it considers desirable, such new facilities for carrying out such research and provide for their use, control and administration by or on behalf of the Authority or otherwise,

(c) provide for the use, control and administration by the Authority of such facilities as may be transferred to it for the carrying out of such research,

(d) consult with and advise persons engaged in carrying out such research in relation to their programmes of research,

(e) award fellowships, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, to persons who have done outstanding work in relation to such research,

(f) provide and organise courses of study for advanced students in such research and related subjects,

(g) provide and organise seminars, conferences, lectures and demonstrations on such research and related subjects and on specific problems and programmes in relation thereto,

(h) disseminate, or procure the dissemination of, the results of such research to interested persons, including, in particular, persons engaged in providing advisory services in relation thereto,

(i) publish, or procure the publication of, the results of such research,

(j) make grants, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, to assist the carrying out of specific programmes of agricultural or basic veterinary research, or of specific agricultural or basic veterinary research, and

(k) provide scholarships and other awards for the carrying out of post-graduate agricultural or basic veterinary research.

(3) In case of doubt as to whether any activity in relation to veterinary research is or is not proper to the Authority, the decision of the Minister shall be final.

(4) The functions of the Authority shall not include any function assigned to the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards by the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1961 .

(5) Section 6 of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1961 , is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (4) of the following subsection:

“(4) The functions of the Institute shall not include any function assigned to the National Agricultural Authority by the National Agricultural Advisory, Education and Research Authority Act, 1977.”

(6) If there is disagreement as to whether any activity in relation to research is proper to the Authority or the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards, the matter shall be determined by the Minister and the Minister for Industry and Commerce.