It is obviously important that there are views that are reflective of the arts, humanities and social sciences community as well as the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, community but also increasingly the interdisciplinarity of research whereby we are not just appointing people because they come from a particular background. The purpose of this new agency is to promote and develop research and innovation in Ireland. The individuals who sit on it are not there as representatives of some sector…

I thank the Minister. He was very clear about the need for the broad level of representation. Given the experience of certain people sitting on State boards, there is a reluctance on the part of some of the best people at present to sit on these boards. It is important, therefore, that we encourage the best people to apply. I also welcome the fact that the Minister said we should encourage people in this regard. It is an element of good citizenship. One thing I should note is that, unlike in much other legislation,…

I am not sure if "The Simpsons" amendment to the Bill is going to be proposed at some stage. It could certainly be considered. Returning to the point, I am always reluctant to be overly prescriptive. If we look at the objects of the agency that are outlined in section 8, they are sufficiently broad. Section 8(c) covers "to promote and support the contribution made by research and innovation to economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability in the State". I am always a little reluctant w…

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

I welcome the news from the Minister, Deputy Foley, today that she will move to address the problem of grade inflation at leaving certificate and that we will move back slowly, starting with the leaving certificate in 2025. Obviously, it will not impact on any leaving certificate students this year. However, I am concerned that those who might have benefited from the grade inflation in recent years may have an advantage if they are competing against students for higher education places. I hope the Minister will com…

Like others, I welcome the Minister. He served very well as Minister of State at the Department of housing and as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs. I am certain he will bring his own innovative style to this job. I also pay tribute to his predecessor, Deputy Simon Coveney, who regularly attended this House and was certainly willing to engage with Members on issues. We wish him well in the next chapter. I am certain that the Minister, Deputy Burke, will be in the House as often as Deputy Co…

Hear, hear.

I so move.

I second the motion.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I thank the Minister for taking this important issue raised by my colleague Senator O'Loughlin. The Minister will be aware that the transition from primary to secondary school should be as smooth as possible, but where a student is uncertain of having a second level place, it is stressful for the individual and their family. As Senator O'Loughlin mentioned, this is quite common in areas of rapid growth. We have experienced it in Gorey, north Wexford, particularly when there was pressure…

No pressure. There is a challenge whereby individual schools have their own recruitment and application systems. If a student applies, say in the case of Gorey, to each of the three schools and is offered a place in each, they normally have a period in which they have to make up their mind. For certain students who have not been offered places, it is concerning to be told they are on a waiting list. It is worrying to them and their family. You can give them some comfort by saying eventually the schools will get thr…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach agus an Ceannaire Gníomheach. I am delighted to see Senator Seery Kearney in the Leader's chair today. I echo the remarks of my colleague, Senator Dooley, concerning Eir and its disgraceful consumer service. Stronger action is needed against companies such as that for their appalling public service. The issue I want to raise relates to the Order of Business for this week. We were due to debate the provisions around the unified patent court and the unified patent system tommor…

I thank the Minister for his work in this space because it has certainly been a very difficult year, as he has acknowledged, for a lot of farmers and food producers. I welcome the measures he has taken, including for instance around the interim ACRES payments and recognising that getting money into farmers’ pockets is critical. The Minister will be aware that it has been an especially difficult year for tillage farmers. I know a significant number of them in County Wexford who have been badly impacted because the w…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I appreciate the Minister of State taking this matter, which concerns the ongoing problem of buildings that are either in the ownership or management of the HSE. I understand there are potentially up to 400 such buildings nationwide that have been left derelict or underutilised. While much of the attention in Dublin city is focused on Baggot Street Hospital, which was abandoned by the HSE many years ago, these buildings are located righ…

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate how difficult it has been for the Department to access properties for a range of services. That 183 properties remain under the control of a State agency is not acceptable, but I use the Camolin example because I am very familiar with it. We have been hearing these excuses for ten years. This is an update, because the last time I asked this question in the House we were told by the HSE that Wexford County Council was not interested in the property. Now, we are told it is.…

Along with others, I welcome Senator Malachai O'Hara. His commitment to equality and to the reconciliation of people is something that should inspire all of us. It is appropriate to acknowledge his predecessor, former Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile, who did an awful lot of good work in this House. I wish to raise the case of Josip Štrok, the 31-year-old Croatian man who was brutally killed in Clondalkin last week. He was walking home with a friend and just going about his life normally. He and his friend were attacked …

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Seanad Standing Order 116 on a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing harmonised requirements in the Internal Market on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries and amending directive (EU) 2019/1937, COM(2023)637, reasoned opinion, to be taken on conclusion of Order of Business without debate…

Are you free this weekend?

I thank Members for their contributions. Senators Dooley and Conway raised again the situation at University Hospital Limerick. As the Leader indicated yesterday, it is hoped to try to have a debate on this issue. There is a question as to why it is that Limerick is always in the news, unlike any other hospital in the country. I look at what we have been able to do in Waterford and Wexford, where we do not seem to have the same problems. The Leader is looking to try to facilitate the debate. Senator Dooley also rai…

I move: That Seanad Éireann: (1) notes the agreed Report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Standing Order 116 on the following proposal: Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing harmonised requirements in the internal market on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937, which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 28th February, 2024 in accordance wit…