Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence
Overseas Development Aid: Teagasc
9:30 am
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Professor Boyle. We might also involve the Marine Institute. It was established about 20 years ago, and it is a very sophisticated research centre. It could help to explore all of that. As Professor Boyle suggested, it could tie in with the work of Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
It is fantastic to hear that Teagasc has 240 PhD students. Every time I read the Teagasc monthly magazine, I read about so many people with different roles in the organisation, predominantly very young people with masters degrees or PhDs. It sends out a great message about the sector and the quality of person working in the witnesses' organisation before going on to work in private business.
As time goes by and he develops the organisation, does Professor Boyle find that his experience in international development influences his policy outlook on Ireland? He referred in his opening remarks to the sustainable development goals. There is not much awareness of those in society in general. Within the cohort of people in the advisory and teaching areas, and the whole agrifood sector, is there any increasing awareness of the import of the sustainable development goals, and of all of us doing our part to advance them?