Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I ask those in attendance to please ensure their mobile phones are turned off for the duration of this meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even on silent mode. Are the minutes of the meeting on 25 April agreed? Agreed.

The purpose of today's meeting is to meet representative bodies and relevant unions. There will be two sessions today. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. Lisa Keating, director of research and innovation at the Irish Universities Association, IUA, Professor Willie Donnelly, director of research, development and innovation at the Technological Higher Education Association, THEA, and Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, chair of the Higher Education Colleges Association, HECA. The witnesses are attending the committee today regarding pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the research and innovation Bill 2023. I also welcome Mr. Michael Bosonnet, research and development director of Griffith College, who is in the Public Gallery.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to make brief opening statements in the following order: Dr. Keating, Professor Donnelly and Professor Hegarty. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a five-minute slot, given the time constraints as there are two sessions, for members to ask the question and for witnesses to respond. The committee will publish the opening statements on its website following today's meeting.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Witnesses 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 a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Dr. Keating may begin and the other witnesses will follow. The witnesses have five minutes each.