I move amendment No. 9: In page 11, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: “(e) promote research and innovation which supports economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability and human wellbeing, and to so do in co-operation and collaboration with the bodies to which section 51 applies and such other persons and bodies in the higher education and research system or the research and innovation system as the Agency considers appropriate,”.

I move amendment No. 11: In page 12, between lines 34 and 35, to insert the following: “(2) In the performance of its functions the Agency shall— (a) accord due recognition and equal respect to research and innovation in all fields of activity and disciplines in the higher education and research system and the research and innovation system, and (b) ensure that, taken in the round, funding for research and innovation in accordance with Part 3 is awarded and disbursed on an equitable basis.”.

I move amendment No. 13: In page 15, to delete lines 20 to 24 and substitute the following: “(2) Subject to subsection (3) — (a) the chairperson and ordinary members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister from among persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have sufficient experience and expertise relating to matters connected with the functions of the Agency to enable them to make a substantial contribution to the effective and efficient performance of those functions, (b) in relation to the ordinary m…

I agree with the spirit of what Deputy Boyd Barrett is suggesting by way of his amendment. He raised the point about increased militarisation that funding at a European Commission level could start to tilt towards funding for militarisation. I was glad that earlier the Deputy gave recognition to the Commission. He quoted from a Commission document. With tongue in cheek do I take it that the Deputy now recognises the European Commission and all that sails on that ship? I am concerned by something that has been point…

I thank the Minister and his officials. It is a comprehensive piece of legislation. If it is an opportune moment to do so, I want to ask the Minister of State about the status of the chief scientific adviser and when he envisages that role will be appointed.

Una voce.

Briseann an dúchas.

A lot more to do. Where did we hear that before?

I raise the issue of the abysmal allocation made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in respect of progressing the Mallow northern relief road scheme when the allocations for 2024 were announced recently. The allocation made for the Mallow relief road, as we call it, was €300,000. This is a paltry figure given that the project is progressing rapidly. A preferred route has been selected and I contend that the project is further along than most others elsewhere in the country. I want to see an additional alloca…

I note the Minister of State’s comparison between Athy and Mallow. They are very similar towns. I note the benefits accruing to the people of Fermoy now as a result of the recent allocation. The reason I know about Athy is that my colleague, Senator Mark Wall, has been a strong advocate for it, as the Minister of State knows. His father, Jack Wall, probably got the project put on the agenda of the NDP in the first instance. If we are talking about projects of that nature, if the Minister of State and his Government…

"Peripheral to Dublin" is what the Taoiseach means.

I do not propose to take the full 20 minutes allocated in this slot. The speaker after me on the list might be listening to proceedings and may come to the Chamber. I welcome the Bill. It is a progressive step forward for a country like ours, which, in global terms, is relatively small. It is only right that we have one strong agency overseeing the funding resources to ensure all the disciplines are funded. That is, in essence, what is being created under the Bill. I am seeking today a greater sense of security or …

Agreed.

In the Minister's speech on 14 December 2023 where he referred to durable relationships, he stated: It simply recognises that the concept of the family outlined in Article 41 is no longer limited to the marital family and also encompasses other durable, committed relationships, including one-parent families and cohabiting couples and their children. In terms of the Constitution as it stands, the family continues to be described as the fundamental unit group of society. There are no proposed changes to this element …

Three.

We are getting into the laws of physics now.

That is what we were referring to.

We are discussing this legislation in the context-----

We are discussing this legislation and, therefore, the amendments, without being too pedantic about it and without being Michael McNamara on it.

I mean that in the most complimentary way with regard to the incisive nature of the arguments the Deputy puts forward. In the context in which we are discussing this legislation, if we take the census of 2022, there were 299,128 people providing regular unpaid care. That figure had increased by more than 50% since 2016. We cannot ignore the fact that there is a whole series of categories of people who are providing care for those who we all represent. Much of the everyday work we do as TDs involves advocating for t…