Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State may correct me but scanning the objects and functions of the agency, I do not see the word "ethics" or that the highest standard of ethics will be applied. I do not see that reflected at any point. “Excellence” is referenced and that is appropriate but I do not see language that makes explicit reference to ethics or ethical standards. In the descriptions of this Bill, we have seen language used multiple times that is not in the text, for example, the term "parity of esteem". I am hoping ethics is addressed in a different section but it is not in the sections on the objects of the agency.

The reputation of Ireland internationally, as I said, seems to focus on its reputation as a location that is favourable for undertaking research and innovation. That is not a location that is ethical or that is to be held to a higher standard. Again, the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion are referenced but that reference relates to opportunities to undertake research and innovation. I am hoping ethics are mentioned somewhere. I ask the Minister of State to clarify that because I do not see it. There is language around the excellence of standards and on the undertaking of research and innovation by an international or European Union body, institution, organisation, and promoting the success of such research innovation. A situation could arise where the output of Horizon-funded projects is being redirected into military purposes and there is almost an obligation under section 9(1)(j) to promote the success of that research and innovation, even if its success might be unethical. There is a tension there.

We know that many things will go into the conditions of funding. There is nothing that would stop the Minister, even today, from coming forward with some parameter to which there may be ethical standards attached. As we are seeing from our higher education institutions right now, many of them do not understand that they need to apply or be concerned about any particular ethical standards in relation to the conflict in Gaza. They do not feel an obligation. They regard what they are doing as being so intrinsically separate from the outcomes of their projects and partnerships that they do not have any responsibility in that regard. This is not solely about geopolitics. It is about international law, which is very clear, international human rights principles and how the common principles of humanity to which we signed up with the United Nations are being applied by everybody. It is not simply geopolitics. Geopolitics suggests it is about power, but this is recognising the kinds of actions that are taking place militarily and their impact on civilians. It is about principles, not about powers and taking sides. It is about being clear on our principles. Unfortunately, I cannot see anything in the Bill that makes very clear that Ireland will be able to apply its principles, including the principles of neutrality and human rights and those core ethical principles which are important to us as a State, and that they will necessarily be reflected. I hope they may be reflected in the conditions of funding but I do not see anything in the Bill that guarantees they will be. I do not believe we cannot simply rely on institutions or individual researchers to determine case by case whether they want to apply different ethical standards. We need to have a proper mechanism within the State funding tool for research that allows for conditions to be set and that empowers the agency to terminate funding when those conditions are not being met.

With respect to the Minister of State, I am not confident. I regret that for two days in a row we have heard language around the International Court of Justice. To be clear, when the International Court of Justice, to which Ireland subscribes, gives provisional undertakings, that is the court's interpretation of the convention on genocide, to which Ireland has signed up. We and all state parties to that convention should be doing all we can when the International Court of Justice signals, as it has done, that there is a credible threat of genocide, which it will go on to determine in detail. We must bear in mind, this convention is meant to be preventative of genocide, not simply something we use after the fact to reflect on the genocide we have allowed to happen on our watch. What is happening in universities around the world right now points to the need for real, robust, effective and systemic tools, not ad hoc or one-by-one tools. The State should give leadership in respect of that. This is an opportunity for the State to give leadership and send a strong signal about the ethical standards it will expect from the projects it funds and also that it intends to enforce those standards.