Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Business of Joint Committee

2:00 am

Photo of Erin McGreehanErin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Frankie Feighan.

Before we proceed, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through as follows. In according with Standing Orders, I wish to make the following declaration:

I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully, and to the best of my knowledge and ability, execute the office of Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, Members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members of the committee attending remotely must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, Members must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask that any Member partaking via Teams, prior to making their contribution to the meeting or further meetings, confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members 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 a Member's statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

As regards my own housekeeping matters, a chairde agus a chomhaltaí coiste, as the Chair of the joint committee, it is a great honour and privilege to open our first meeting. I welcome all members and look forward to working alongside each and every one of them in the time ahead. This committee will play a vital role in shaping the future of our education system, our research environment and our national capacity for innovation and discovery. It is a brief that will carry a real impact, not just for today but for the generations to come. I am hopeful that our work together will be defined by a positive tone and that we can engage in a spirit of partnership, inclusion and productivity. While we come from different perspectives, I know we share common goals to support learners, to foster innovation and to ensure that the opportunities provided by education and research are accessible to all.

As we commence, it is fitting to acknowledge the work of the former Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science during the last Oireachtas term. The members of that committee carried out very valuable activity, including production of several impactful reports on matters such as the future funding of higher education. They highlighted key issues that will remain relevant to us on this committee. I thank them and I hope that together we will be able to build on their work over the term ahead.

This, of course, is a new committee. It has been established in order to better consider the matters relating to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. This underscores the importance of the Department's portfolio. Among the priorities I hope we can focus on together is accessible education for all. Education should not be a privilege; it should be a right. Whether through further or higher education pathways, we must continue to break down financial, geographic and social barriers that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. Another priority is expanding on educational offerings and diversity. Ireland's future depends on a system that reflects the diversity of our people and the dynamism of our economy. That means expanding access to apprenticeships, digital skills and lifelong learning and supporting new and emerging areas of study. A further priority is to support learners with disabilities. We must place inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Students with disabilities deserve not just access but meaningful supports to succeed through services, funding and accommodations that enable full participation in all aspects of student life. We must champion research and innovation. Ireland has long punched above its weight in science and research. We must ensure that researchers are supported, that their innovation is nurtured and that our institutions remain competitive on a global stage while serving the needs of Irish society.

I do not need to remind members that we meet for the first time today in a moment of geopolitical and economic challenge for Ireland. It is a moment, too, of profound and rapid technological change, as seen particularly in the ongoing impact of artificial intelligence. Our work together will be critical in this context. Ireland has enjoyed the competitive advantage over recent decades of a highly educated workforce. We must ensure that that remains the case by prioritising a well-resourced higher and further education system. This must be a tertiary education system that is adequately and sustainably funded. It must be one in which each and every student is supported in order to make the most of their individual talents. They deserve no less.

Vital, too, over the years ahead will be maintaining Ireland's position as the world's leading home of research, innovation and science. If the world is changing rapidly, Ireland must remain at the cutting edge of that change. We must continue to produce and attract the brightest talent. This will play a pivotal role in shaping all our futures. It will be central to supporting Ireland's prosperity as a small and open economy.

I look forward to our deliberations, from hearing from stakeholders to producing work that informs policy and strengthens public confidence in the system. For my part, I will approach the Chair with consensus and fairness. I believe we can work best together on a united basis on which all members can contribute and feel that their efforts are worthwhile. I will always endeavour for that to be the case. Let us approach our work ahead with purpose, openness and a shared ambition to deliver for our students, our educators, our researchers and our communities across Ireland. Go n-éirí linn agus muid ar an mbóthar an-tábhachtach atá romhainn.

Do any members wish to make their own comments?

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