Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to ensuring that the important views of the research community are captured and reflected on as the implementation of the new agency proceeds.

A programme of stakeholder consultation has been taking place since the development of Impact 2030 Ireland's Research and Innovation Strategy and was integral to the development of that strategy. A High Level Group on the Research Bill was established in October 2022 to advance engagement with the Executives of the HEA (the legal entity under which the Irish Research Council operates), the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Input from all three entities has informed the development of the General Scheme and Heads of Bill and associated transitional arrangements.

My officials and I have also met with the board of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council, and officials have met with the Higher Education Authority Board, all of whom welcome the establishment of the new agency and are committed to engaging comprehensively and constructively in further dialogue as the work progresses. I also met with the authors of an Open Letter on the Research Bill recently and my Officials attended an event organised by this group.

Consultation with wider stakeholders, with particular regard to the research and innovation community, is being prepared in order to seek feedback on the operationalisation of the functions of the new agency and to keep them informed about progress. It is currently foreseen that this will be led by the CEO Designate of the agency, who will be appointed as soon as possible to assist the Department in undertaking the significant transitional and operational programme of work required to establish the new agency.

At a broader level, the Department is prioritising the development of stakeholder engagement structures as a priority objective from Impact 2030, and these are playing an important role in supporting the establishment of the new agency. Furthermore a Research and Innovation Policy Advisory Forum will be announced in the coming days.