As part of the Scientist Oireachtais Member Pairing Scheme, Minister Joe McHugh TD, Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with Special Responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources today visited Professor John Walsh in iCRAG. The Minister received a tour of iCRAG facilities. iCRAG researchers were on hand to give the Minister an insight into the 3D Ireland research taking place at the iCRG.
The scheme, which ran for six months (May-November 2015), is a collaborative project between the RIA and the Houses of the Oireachtas and involves matching public representatives and active scientists working on the island of Ireland. With the support of funding partners the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), issues of national importance such as flooding risks, health and education service delivery, coastal erosion and geotourism will be examined closer.
This collaboration aims to brief elected representatives on the world class research that is currently taking place in Ireland. It is hoped that this Pairing Scheme will strengthen the role of evidence based research and enrich debate in public policy formation. It will act as a platform for future projects by highlighting the importance of academic research to key issues of concern for the public of Ireland.
For more information on the Scientist Oireachtais Member Pairing Scheme: