Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Frank Jones, spokesperson for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU; Dr. John Walsh, the Trinity convenor from the Irish Federation of University Teachers, IFUT; Dr. Richard Vance, chair of the Irish Research Staff Association, IRSA; Mr. Waqar Ahmed, vice president for postgraduate affairs, Union of Students in Ireland, USI; and Ms Annette Dolan, deputy general sectary, Teachers' Union of Ireland, TUI. The witnesses are attending the committee today regarding pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the research and innovation Bill 2023. The format of the meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to make brief opening statements in the following order: Mr. Jones, Dr. Walsh, Dr. Vance, Mr. Ahmed and Ms Dolan. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a five-minute slot, given the time constraints, to both 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.

Mr. Jones may begin and the other witnesses will follow. They have five minutes each.