Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will raise another issue. I recently attended a British Irish Chamber of Commerce conference in the UK. I am not sure whether anyone from the Department was present. It was very interesting. A significant number of academics from Ireland and the UK were present, including a number of university and technological university presidents and others. We know the UK is no longer eligible for European Horizon funding, as a result of Brexit, which was a big issue at the conference for both sides, including the Irish universities. I was taken aback by some of the contributions from the Irish attendees. When you think it through, it makes sense this will be an issue for Ireland as well because so many Irish students are going abroad to study.

I am not sure whether the Minister has had a conversation with his British counterpart on this issue. It is very important that the British are part and parcel of Horizon funding. I am not sure whether, as part of the autumn-winter work programme, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce will be brought in to discuss some of the issues raised at the conference and some of the challenges it saw as regards Horizon funding. I am not sure whether the Minister can say too much or what he can say. Is it on his horizon - pardon the pun - that this is an issue coming down the tracks and is a challenge for both sides? It is very easy for an Irish Government to say, "Lads, you voted for Brexit so off you go", but there are many challenges for Ireland if the UK is not part of that Horizon funding.