Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael)
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On behalf of the committee, I welcome Professor Cormac Taylor, professor of cellular physiology, Conway Institute, University College Dublin; Professor Helen Kelly-Holmes, professor of applied languages, school of modern languages and applied linguistics, University of Limerick; and Professor Jim Livesey, vice president, research and innovation, University of Galway.

The witnesses are here for our 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 a brief opening statement in the following order: Professor Taylor, Professor Kelly-Holmes, and Professor Livesey. Questions from committee members will follow.

Given the time constraints, each member has a five-minute slot to ask questions and for the witnesses to respond. As witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following the meeting.

Before we begin, 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 engage in speech that is regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If witnesses' statements are defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I welcome our guests today. I invite Professor Taylor to begin. He has five minutes. I thank him very much for his time.