Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá áthas orm an deis a fháil chun labhairt ar na ráitis eolaíochta anocht. Mar is eol dúinn go léir, tá eolaíocht fíorthábhachtach sa chóras oideachais agus caithfimid ár seacht ndícheall a dhéanamh chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh maidir le heolaíocht agus maidir leis na daltaí atá ag staidéar eolaíochta.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the very important matter of science during Science Week, especially as a member of the Oireachtas committee on higher education and a former national school teacher. I noted with interest the statement issued to us by the Royal Irish Academy outlining how higher education can lead the way when it comes to creating new opportunities and developing and supporting talent, research, skills and sustainability on the island of Ireland in the years to 2035. I fully agree with those sentiments.

I warmly welcome the fact that Athlone IT and Limerick IT have become a consortium and have now got university status. I know the Minister of State and the Minister have done a lot of work on that, which I acknowledge. It will, I hope, help in the promotion of science because I imagine that more science courses will be on offer for students. More important, it will help to generate much-needed employment in our regions, especially the midlands. I am always raising the issue of the problems in the midlands region in the House. Unfortunately, most of the time I find myself trying to scramble to save jobs in the midlands instead of focusing on job creation.

Every day I come to the Chamber, the issues raised are those of forestry, agriculture, Bord na Móna workers or our horticulture industry, which is also under threat due to job losses. I sincerely hope that, in addition to the Government stepping up to the plate to protect tens of thousands of jobs in rural counties such as Laois and Offaly in the agriculture, forestry and horticulture sectors, we will see much-needed job creation and proper stable jobs that will help to revitalise a region that has been disadvantaged and, I will go so far as saying, neglected by IDA Ireland and the Government, which did not create jobs. I will go so far as saying that because Bord na Móna was the big employer the midlands was forgotten about and was not prioritised for job creation. It should have been. I came to the Chamber as a newly elected Deputy in 2016 on the issue of job creation, long before the Bord na Móna announcement. I hope that Athlone's university status will help us to create many much-needed jobs in our rural towns and villages in Laois-Offaly.

I emphasise the particular need for independent research when it comes to science and not simply another Government quango filled with Ministers' cronies who are willing to essentially rubber stamp or underpin government policy. That is not proper research at all and is an insult to the experts, and expertise, we have in research. Some of the suggested actions from the Royal Irish Academy are admirable, especially in respect of all-island research and an innovation advisory council that would provide expert independent policy advice. We have to also acknowledge the fact that, last week, we saw the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, appoint his own people to the Climate Change Advisory Council, including Green Party members. That is not what the people of this State want any longer. We want to make sure that the election or appointment of people to such positions is done in an independent and transparent way. Those positions should not be filled on foot of the influence of a Minister. That is a step too far and people do not want it. That kind of action not only undermines the validity of strong research and, indeed, expertise, it also risks creating the perception that knowledge is just another political tool and not something that can be fully relied upon to point the way forward in a way that is above party politics.

We saw something similar when the Taoiseach recently launched an extraordinary attack on the independent KPMG report, commissioned by The Farmers' Journal, on the impact of the Government's emission policies, which was very factual. It outlined the facts and the impacts and possible impacts these policies will have on rural Ireland and the agriculture sector in particular. It seems that if a piece of research does not suit Government policy, or a particular agenda, it is dismissed and attacked. That is wrong in a democracy, and I want to call it out. I am not saying there is only ever one monolithic view around what science tells us, but we certainly should avoid claiming science as our own and acting as if others have nothing valid to contribute simply because we may disagree with them, or because their views may not fit the narrative, a particular agenda or spin related to policy the Government is strongly pursuing. It is just so wrong and an insult to those experts and independent researchers who put in the time and effort and are qualified. All views should be looked at and respected.

The fact that so much research, including the KPMG report commissioned by The Farmers' Journal, was dismissed is the height of scientific arrogance and contributes nothing to the national debate. I hope there is a change in tone and in the way such evidence, which contradicts a policy that may be flawed, is treated and disregarded.

I hope that changes because it is something that needs to change.

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