I move amendment No. 57: In page 14, to delete lines 33 to 35, and in page 15, to delete lines 1 and 2. The amendment seeks the deletion of section 15 (2)( b ) (iii), which currently provides that the board "satisfy itself that appropriate systems, procedures and practices are in place ... in order to enable compliance with the policies (whether contained in guidelines, codes or other documents, or any combination of them) of the Government or a Minister of the Government to the extent that those policies may affec…

I report progress.

I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, line 24, to delete “where they have not been used previously”. I congratulate the Minister on his new role. I look forward to engaging with him on this and other legislation. This group of amendments aims to address some of the questions around the definitions in the Bill. By strengthening and widening the definitions, we will be able to derive more in the longer term from what will be landmark legislation and a landmark new infrastructure in respect of research and innovation. Am…

I thank the Minister for his reply. I would like him to come back on a few points because it would be very useful to me in terms of whether I have to table any amendments on Report Stage. Some of what he said is quite positive but perhaps he could just clarify some points again. Am I right that in the phrase "use" that is currently in the Bill, the understanding of "use" does encompass foundational or frontier research and that it is not necessarily used in an immediate utilitarian application but as part of the fu…

I will not press some of these issues, but I think it would be okay for us to look to the HEA Act because that Act was rushed through this House at breakneck speed and-----

I know. I am flagging that there will be a number of amendments that address some of these questions. Yes, after a period of time that was brought forward, but the initial part of it moved through very fast, and Senators were put under extreme pressure for simply proposing amendments and asking for debate on matters of definition. I want to be clear that I think that some mistakes were made in respect of the HEA Act and that there is an opportunity to address them.

Before that, if I may, I will say that in the end, there was engagement and it made the legislation a lot better and the Minister was much happier. There was, however, an attempt at a certain point where things were going to be moving fast. Regarding amendments I am proposing here again, I was told we do not have time and that we should not have to look at these matters; matters that are really important in respect of climate and sustainability, for example. There was - at the time to which I am referring - a quest…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, line 24, to delete "where they have not been used previously" and substitute the following: "or the application of ideas, methods, products, processes, policies and services in new ways or for new purposes". I propose to withdraw this as the Minister has made a valid point.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 9, lines 5 to 7, to delete all words from and including "in" where it secondly occurs in line 5 down to and including "knowledge" in line 7 and substitute the following: "in order to increase or deepen knowledge and understanding, including knowledge and understanding of humankind, culture and society, and to devise new or improved applications of available knowledge and understanding".

I move amendment No. 4: In page 9, line 6, after "increase", to insert "or deepen". I reserve the right to return to this on Report Stage.

I suggest that amendment No. 69 be included in the grouping because it is consequential to amendment No. 68. They comprise a set.

That is why I suggest that it be in the grouping we are to discuss. Amendments Nos. 68 and 69 are related. What I propose would make the proceedings quicker and save us from making the same points-----

Perfect. It will make it quicker for everyone.

I understand. It will save us from making all the same points again.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 9, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: " "researchers' representative group" means— (a) a trade union which is the holder of a negotiation licence under Part II of the Trade Union Act 1941, or (b) any independent and self-governing body, recognised by a higher education provider, research body or by the Minister, that is established for the purpose of promoting the general interests of postgraduate researchers, and of representing such postgraduate researchers, both indiv…

I am sorry; amendment No. 69 in that set, which I insist on including-----

It is consequential on the last one.

I want to come in on a couple of points.

It will be easier then. Amendment No. 69 is another in this set that ensures consistency with amendment No. 68 by ensuring that if there is a casual vacancy for chairperson, it would not be a direct appointment by the Minister but the same measures I have outlined would apply. It is a technical amendment. I will speak to a couple of points. We are blending bodies that have different records, have had different cultures and have done different work. While Science Foundation Ireland sat within the Department of enter…

I acknowledge local authority members being eligible to apply to be members of this board. I also acknowledge that is progress on the issue of local authority members and it is something I know that everybody across the House has called for and that issue was highlighted in Bill after Bill. It is good to hear there has been a shift. I hope this is an example of how the way we have done things can be slightly changed and improved and I hope we will see similar shifts and improvements. To be clear, we are not necessa…