Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On that issue, while there has been a significant amount of engagement, which is very welcome, it is important that this is not seen as a one-off. There must be ongoing communication because we have reached a crisis point within the scientific community. For 900 scientists to put their names to a letter and to put their heads above the parapet is a significant reaction to what they see is going on. We have a situation now - this covers both of the Minister of State's areas - where scientists are coming through the education system without ever getting their hands dirty. One cannot produce scientists of a quality that can be employed by industry or can usefully be involved in far-reaching research if they have never once got their hands dirty at undergraduate level. It is critical that we not only address the concerns that are there now, but that there is an ongoing forum and flow of communication so that, as these issues arise, they can be addressed initially rather than after a crisis as we see now.