Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It has been noted by the Minister of State that this is very clearly outlined in the Universities Act 1997 and, of course, with all universities that is a key tenet. Regarding funding that is coming under this agency, it will fund across all disciplines and will be based on excellence. The very first line talks about the maintenance of excellence in the standard and quality of research and innovation undertaken. Taighde Éireann will be about funding excellence, both Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding. That is really where we would like to see that focus being brought to bear, across all disciplines. It is important that funding is not, in any shape or form, limited to any extent. It will be based on the excellence within the universities, both applying for Exchequer funding being provided by this agency and non-Exchequer funding being provided internationally and across the board.