Universities object to ministerial veto over research funds

The Irish Universities Association (IUA) says the minister for higher education cannot have a veto over annual funding plans for research awards, writes Katherine Donnelly for Independent.ie.

The IUA raised the issue this week at a hearing of the Oireachtas Education Committee, which is undertaking a pre-legislative scrutiny of the Research and Innovation Bill 2023. The proposed legislation will underpin the establishment of a new funding-awarding body to be known as Research and Innovation Ireland.

IUA Director of Research and Innovation Dr Lisa Keating welcomed the bill for its comprehensive approach to legislation on the public research and innovation system, and said it must be accompanied by the required investment. However, the IUA is suggesting a number of amendments, including asking the committee to seek a reconsideration of a section conveying significant powers on the minister in relation to the new agency’s annual plan.
Full report on the Independent.ie site