Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to appoint Ireland's semiconductor advisory committee as set out in the recommendations of Ireland's National Semiconductor Strategy, Silicon Ireland; whether his Department is seeking expressions of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50340/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I launched Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy in May 2025 to position Ireland as a leading player in the global semiconductor sector and to deliver on commitments under the European Chips Act. The strategy marks the beginning of ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of the global semiconductor ecosystem and optimise its potential for all sectors of Ireland’s economy.

Accordingly, a key element of this strategy is the establishment of an advisory council to the semiconductor sector, bringing together representatives from industry, academia, Departments and the enterprise agencies to ensure a collaborative approach to advancing Ireland’s semiconductor ecosystem. It will guide the implementation of the strategy’s deliverables and identify emerging challenges and opportunities in this critical sector.

Its remit will include oversight of strategic priorities such as continued ecosystem road-mapping, semiconductor manufacturing, supporting start-ups and spin-outs, enhancing research and development capacity, international collaboration and developing a robust talent pipeline.

My Department is currently finalising the governance and operational framework for the advisory council. It is intended to seek expressions of interest from suitably qualified stakeholders shortly to ensure broad and balanced representation across the sector.

Further details, including timelines for the expressions of interest process, will be published on the Department’s website in due course.

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to appoint a semiconductor advisory committee, as set out in the recommendations of the national semiconductor strategy, Silicon Ireland; whether or not the Department is seeking expressions of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50352/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I launched Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy in May 2025 to position Ireland as a leading player in the global semiconductor sector and to deliver on commitments under the European Chips Act. The strategy marks the beginning of ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of the global semiconductor ecosystem and optimise its potential for all sectors of Ireland’s economy.

Accordingly, a key element of this strategy is the establishment of an advisory council to the semiconductor sector, bringing together representatives from industry, academia, Departments and the enterprise agencies to ensure a collaborative approach to advancing Ireland’s semiconductor ecosystem. It will guide the implementation of the strategy’s deliverables and identify emerging challenges and opportunities in this critical sector.

Its remit will include oversight of strategic priorities such as continued ecosystem road-mapping, semiconductor manufacturing, supporting start-ups and spin-outs, enhancing research and development capacity, international collaboration and developing a robust talent pipeline.

My Department is currently finalising the governance and operational framework for the advisory council. It is intended to seek expressions of interest from suitably qualified stakeholders shortly to ensure broad and balanced representation across the sector.

Further details, including timelines for the expressions of interest process, will be published on the Department’s website in due course.