Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This legislation is welcome. In Taighde Éireann, we are going to have a brand new agency for all research disciplines and for innovation. We have spent time debating the Bill, its strengths and the opportunities it is going to give to everyone working within the third level sector and in the area of research, including research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. There is a wealth of talent in Ireland.The funding that will be provided will support those involved in all research disciplines and in innovation. We are going to be bringing all of the results of this great research into society and the communities. It is important that the research does not sit on a shelf and where possible, we bring that impact as soon as possible.

I acknowledge the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy O'Donovan. This is a key piece of legislation that he is extremely supportive of. I thank the officials and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, for all of their support in bringing this legislation before the House and passing it through Committee Stage in the Seanad.