Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have been jumping in and out because, unfortunately, I have another committee meeting at this time.

A fascinating conversation is happening. The underlying concern people have around research, which I would share, is that it is the type of research which would make money is the type of research which is funded. It makes money for somebody and not necessarily a researcher. I will also be concerned if one is saying that one researcher makes more money because of the type of research they are involved in. I do not believe that that is route we should be going down.

Likewise, that is what is behind the concern people have around parity of esteem where the humanities greatly serve us. We cannot even describe exactly where it is serving us but in respect of social cohesion, our understanding of human beings, of the planet, and of all of that; it adds to it all. That would be my first comment.

I would like to hear from Professor Livesey as I know that we were cut short earlier in respect of what he wanted to come in with. I also want to hear what people's views are as to how we can have more integration between this board and the other organisations across the country which are doing research? That is because we are not moving forward together if it is so cut off from each other where we are not getting the best team together.