Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

SFI provides research grant funding to higher education institutions and research-performing entities and as such an entity must satisfy a number of criteria to be deemed an eligible body to compete for SFI funding calls. On page 5, lines 20 onwards, particularly lines 32 to 39, inclusive, the Bill clearly sets out how the extension of the remit of SFI will be provided for on an all-Ireland basis. This section therefore already provide for the inclusion of any relevant institution in Northern Ireland, including those established under the Good Friday Agreement, and the important operational matter will be whether any such institution, be it based in the North or the South, meets with SFI criteria to be deemed an eligible body to compete for SFI funding calls. It is not necessary to accept the proposed amendment. We all adhere to the belief that the underlying principle of creating those opportunities subject to the right criteria is the overarching principle in the legislation.