Dáil debates

Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Science Week 2021: Statements

 

That could be part of an internationally recognised contribution to education and to the history of the Normans right across the world. I have suggested that.

Alongside that, in my constituency, Glanbia has a great research and development section in Kilkenny. It has invested heavily in the provision of outcomes for the food industry. It has also won huge market share abroad and is the leader in many of those markets with its products. These are all new developments that will shape the future. I recall being in centres in Japan, Taiwan and China where robots were the only things that were moving on the factory floor in the construction of cars and where you would see two individuals monitoring exactly what was going on. At the end of the line, having been constructed by computers, the outcome would be a car. Things are changing rapidly and as they do so, we must look at all of those changes and how they affect employment. I see the universities playing a strong central role in ensuring that people are skilled up and sufficiently qualified to participate fully in the information technology sector, life sciences and the whole area of health and its management in our systems. There is a product, devised and created by an Irish company, that could well manage the Irish health services. It puzzles me why the HSE is not taking up some of the home-grown products in technology, HR and financial management and that we are still stuck in the dark ages with the HSE's management of its customers, patients and beyond. There is technology to deal with that and we should lead the companies by engaging them, not only in schools and universities but also putting into practice the technologies they have created as that would give them credibility abroad and a reference point. That is essential in the context of our delivery and export of ideas that are created in this country. I welcome the debate. I encourage universities to take up all of what has been said and to develop it as swiftly as possible.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.