Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. There is very little I would disagree with, except that the answer that has been prepared for him does not respond directly to my question other than to say that his Department is continuing to work on this matter and that there will be an answer shortly. The researchers who are impacted by this situation are concerned because many of them have heard that the issue will be resolved shortly for quite a long time. The institutions that are impacted also have a difficulty. The Minister of State will be very familiar with one of them because it is on his doorstep. To localise this matter, what is happening means that the University of Limerick, UL, and Shannon can offer researcher posts with the same job description. However, UL can provide certain guarantees regarding pension entitlements for the researcher that Shannon cannot. That is unfair, and the situation is replicated right across the country. The Minister of State indicated that the matter will be resolved shortly, but a timeframe would be very much appreciated.