Mr. John McGrane:

I strongly support all of the points made today and have a number of brief observations to make. On funding, all of the work has been done on funding previously. We have the Cassells report on the matter. To be fair to Members of the Oireachtas, it is really important that we take that report and do something with it. There is no other report to be had. We cannot continue with deferral but must work together and make some tough decisions. What better time to make them than when we have a crisis-opportunity on our hands?

INTERREG funding was mentioned. I had the privilege of visiting Swansea University two weeks ago, which is one of the six universities - three Irish and three British - taking part in the CALIN programme. That programme is supported by €12 million of INTERREG funds for small, emergent life-science firms, of which we have many because of our strong and embedded life sciences sector, born of education and FDI. The programme will enable the next generation of employment and well being creators to come through, using research in Irish and UK universities. Part of the issue is that not many people are aware that we are doing such things to champion the sustaining of them.

Lastly, on a generic issue around Brexit, the process is set down. It is tedious, politically divisive and so forth but it is very important that Ireland, as one of the EU 27, negotiating through the Council with the UK, has its distinct voice on what is important. We understand that Ireland cannot have a side deal but Ireland is a fully paid up member of the EU. In terms of education, research and all other sectors of our society, Ireland needs to have its point of view laid out very clearly. There are two immediate issues that must be put on the table. One is the transition regime. We argued earlier about the extraordinary urgency in this particular sector but there are other matters and other influences that bear on people who say that in two year's time, as per the process, if there is no deal then the UK is gone. That just raises the fear factor for researchers, educational establishments, funders and so forth. The very first issue that must be dealt with across all interests is to voice the absolute importance of extending a transition regime and not playing the game that says, "If you don't agree within two years, you're out." That achieves nothing. Everybody will lose in those circumstances.

The other factor, which is particularly pertinent to education and research, is immigration. The referendum was fundamentally about immigration in the UK and the European Union's view on free movement. Europeans do not call it immigration, they call it free movement. Educators also call it free movement - of talent, capability and joint intelligence. We need, as a country, to take the initiative and to champion the importance of the issue of free movement and immigration being on the table early rather than late. This is the factor that is chilling the environment inside the UK and risking the loss of significant talent, not just for the UK but for Ireland as well. We need to talk about a transition regime and immigration and free movement early in the process, not later on.