Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise, I have to ask questions and leave given that I am next to speak in the Seanad and I will lose my spot. We are talking about what Brexit means for us. Perhaps those working in research could elaborate on the fact that, due to having no capital funding for a period, we would not be able to cater to any sort of research and development in the universities as they stand unless there is an injection of capital funding in order that they can increase lab space. This may be disproportionate. Trinity College has a historical relationship with England and is in a prime position to lead out on some of the English research. Is there a way this could be dispersed throughout the country in order that other universities could benefit from sharing the Horizon 2020 research projects? After Brexit, England will come under new EU rules and will not be able to lead on research. Ireland will be in a good position, given that we have the infrastructure to cater for it.

Between 2008 and 2011, there was a revision of the medical curriculum which directly impacted on the number of doctors now in place in our medical system. Perhaps Professor Boland can answer this. If third level funding increased, what kind of impact would it have on the medical curriculum and the people availing of it?

I read Dr. Hourigan's recent comments on emigration and her points were not picked up in the earlier session. Will she comment on how she thinks the loan system will impact on emigration and pensions? Is there anything about the loans that we are missing or that is not making it into the public arena and debate from a sociological perspective? We speak about the fact they asserted that the State stepped out regarding other countries and funding. Will there be a governance issue? We cannot predict whether the State will also step out once we open the door for income-contingent loans.