Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)

I had the pleasure this morning of having breakfast with Science Foundation Ireland. Those of us who were lucky enough to attend heard about a treasure trove of activity that is almost like a parallel universe. People are working to try to improve weather forecasting, rebuild bone, identify the fastest racehorses in the world and to cure seizures in tiny babies. It is cause for great optimism that such work is progressing and is being funded in this country. Could we have a debate on how we could support that work? We could do so specifically in one area by forming some type of cross-party scientific group. This was discussed at the meeting this morning. Perhaps the House could take a lead on this. We might not be scientists but we can at least show our support for the work and expertise being built up and coming to this country. Perhaps if parliamentarians understood this work more effectively we could contribute to what they need.