Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Our second engagement today is with Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, on its expert committee report, Creating Our Future: A National Conversation on Research in Ireland. As we know, there is a responsibility on the scientific community and scientists to engage with the public, ensuring that they outline the potential benefits of scientific discovery to society as a whole.

Scientific research data, whether large or small, and irrespective of discipline, should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. This is an issue of equity on a global level. We as politicians working with science need to consider how to enshrine the right to knowledge and fundamental science regardless of what part of the world someone lives in and regardless of his or her education or background. Information and access to that information need to be treated just like a human right.

Rather than scientists setting the agenda on what research to perform, Science Foundation Ireland has turned things around by asking the public what research they would like to see happen. As a result of this engagement, the Creating Our Future report was published with the aim of starting a new direction of conversation on research in Ireland - that is by the public posing the research questions for the scientific community to answer. Many of the topics covered in the report are intersectional in nature and require co-operation across many Departments and other bodies in order to tackle the policy challenges raised.

This committee has taken a particular interest in the submissions and ideas raised on a number of topics in the Voices of Ireland section in the report. Subjects such as social inclusion in rural Ireland, fostering regional strength and valuing and connecting community are all cornerstones of the work of this joint committee. I welcome the innovative research methods employed by Science Foundation Ireland and endorse some of the calls for action, as recommended in the report. Of particular interest is the building of sustainable communities through effective connectivity with transport systems. It is clear from this report and the associated recommendations that further research will not only assist in better evidence-based decision-making for policymakers but also assist the Oireachtas in that process.

I welcome to today's meeting representatives from Science Foundation Ireland, Dr. Ciarán Seoighe, deputy director general; Ms Deirdre de Bhailís, manager of the Dingle Hub and member of Corca Dhuibhne-Dingle Peninsula 2030; and Dr. Karen Keaveney, assistant professor of rural development at UCD and researcher with the UCD centre for Irish towns. They are all very welcome here this morning.

Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practice of the Houses with regard to references the witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity, by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

I invite Dr. Seoighe to make his opening comments.