I move amendment No. 18: In page 11, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(d) to promote and support research which furthers the achievement of obligations regarding climate change including emission reduction targets, the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and implementation and achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;”.

I move amendment No. 19: In page 11, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(d) to promote the development of public research for the public good which addresses social and environmental needs;”.

I move amendment No. 20: In page 11, line 12, after “Government,” to insert “both Houses of the Oireachtas,”. Like my colleague, Senator Higgins, I have a number of concerns, highlighted by our amendments to this section. We are opposing section 11 because it seems that what is proposed here is a massive overreach in terms of ministerial and Government powers to dictate to the agency how it conducts its business, without an expressed mandate from the Oireachtas. The idea that the Oireachtas would give the Minister …

I move amendment No. 21: In page 11, line 12, after "Government," to insert "local authorities,".

I move amendment No. 22: In page 11, line 14, after "enterprise," to insert "particularly social enterprises and small and medium enterprises,".

I move amendment No. 23: In page 11, line 14, after "enterprise," to insert ", trade unions,".

I move amendment No. 24: In page 11, line 14, after "organisations," to insert "multilateral institutions,".

I move amendment No. 26: In page 11, line 16, after "internationally" to insert "for its contribution to global research and innovation and".

I move amendment No. 27: In page 11, line 17, after "innovation" to insert ", and the development of a sustainable career in research and academia".

I move amendment No. 29: In page 11, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: "(f) to support and promote frontier and basic research for the public good;".

I move amendment No. 30: In page 11, line 18, after "equality," to insert "equity,".

I move amendment No. 31: In page 11, line 20, after "innovation" to insert "and the outcome of that research and innovation".

Will the Minister of State explain why academic freedom is not appropriate here, given that researchers who might not work in universities need this protection?

I move amendment No. 33: In page 11, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “(g) to support and promote new knowledge and understanding in all fields of activity, inquiry and disciplines.”.

I move amendment No. 34: In page 11, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “(g) to uphold and advance the principle of parity of esteem between fields of activity and disciplines with regard to the research and innovation opportunities available to them, and in the ongoing undertaking of that research and innovation”.

I move amendment No. 35: In page 11, line 29, after “Ireland” to insert “, the Environmental Protection Agency”. I will not speak on the amendment for now.

I apologise for the confusion. I will speak to amendments Nos. 35, 36 and 95 to 102, inclusive. Amendment No. 35 seeks to amend section 9 by specifying, with regard to the functions of the agency, that as well as supporting the development and maintenance of a national system of research and innovation, in co-operation and collaboration with An tÚdaras, Enterprise Ireland and the other bodies to which section 51 applies, that the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, would also be a named body. The EPA is named in …

I move amendment No. 36: In page 11, line 29, after "Ireland" to insert ", the Health Research Board".

I move amendment No. 37: In page 11, line 33, after "development" to insert ", quality".

I move amendment No. 38: In page 11, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(e) promote research and innovation which supports the health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities in the State, nationally and regionally, including through artistic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability, and, as may be appropriate, to do so in co-operation and collaboration with the bodies to which section 51 applies,". The purpose of this amendment is to amend section 9(1)(c) to ch…