I am delighted to have the opportunity to reply and I will gently push back against the Deputy's assertion. Where did this new idea for an agency and research and innovation Bill come from? It very much came from Impact 2030, Ireland's research and innovation strategy, a key objective of which is this Bill and the new research agency. That innovation strategy was developed through an extensive programme of stakeholder consultation.
In addition, the Creating our Future campaign received over 18,000 responses. We have also had stakeholder consultation on developing our new national science advice forum. I think there is a little anxiety or angst around the idea that this Bill was trundling through the Oireachtas. There were questions as to whether there would be an opportunity for people to input. I reassure the research community, as I have in person, that there will indeed be such an opportunity. Of course, the legislation is at the pre-legislative scrutiny stage, which is the stage at which stakeholders from the industry and sector have the chance to make submissions and representations and give their views. I know that has been happening.
With specific regard to the research and innovation Bill, a high level group was established in October 2022, the initial purpose of which was to advance engagement with the Higher Education Authority, HEA, the Irish Research Council, IRC, and Science Foundation Ireland, SFI. Input from all three entities has informed the development of the heads of Bill and associated transitional arrangements. My officials and I have also met with the board of SFI and the IRC, and officials have met with the HEA. I also met with the authors of the open letter to which the Deputy has referred. They are good people, including Professor Jane Ohlmeyer and others, for whom I have great time. I met them in respect of the research and innovation Bill. My officials also attended a follow-up event organised by the group.
Consultation with wider stakeholders, with particular regard to the research community, is being planned in order to seek feedback on the operationalisation of the functions of the new agency. It is foreseen that this will be led by the CEO designate of the agency. In addition, there have also been pre-legislative scrutiny hearings.
On 16 May, I announced the establishment of a research and innovation policy advisory forum, which I think will address the Deputy's concern. The forum will have an opportunity to feed into the strategic development. It is open for applicants now and I encourage people to apply. That will provide another opportunity for engagement.