Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to write to both Deputies setting out the factual position in terms of the role that Research Ireland will or will not have, which might enable the Deputy to then decide what she wishes to do on Report Stage. As the Deputy will see in the Bill, Research Ireland will have a function to promote research careers at all levels. I think that is a good thing. It will obviously align with European work. It is a research funder and not an employer. I am saying this to be helpful in terms of the conversations the Deputy may wish to have in advance of Report Stage. It will set standards for the projects it funds. We want Research Ireland to be the gold standard.

Precarity is not in any way exclusively a research issue. It can exist anywhere there is fixed-term funding involved. I wish to make the following point to Deputies. I am very clear, and the Government is very clear, that as we increase funding for more staff in HEIs we have a right to attach to that an understanding that precarity is being addressed. I would very happily set out that as well in my letter to the Deputy and, indeed, to IFUT.