Policy Papers

Research Infrastructures in Ireland: Examining Adequacy and Requirements- Survey Results
01 October 2018Detailed results of a Royal Irish Academy Survey analysing the adequacy of research infrastructures in Ireland and the ways in which they can be improved.
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Research Infrastructures in Ireland: strengthening foundations, building for the future
01 October 2018The Royal Irish Academy Pre-Budget Submission 2019 focuses on key areas of priority for government funding in 2019 in order to address pressing issues in the higher education and research sector.
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Research Infrastructures in Ireland: Examining adequacy and requirements – Survey results
01 October 2018Survey results
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Future Partnership Project: An ambitious and close future partnership between the UK and Europe
30 May 2018As the UK and the EU prepare to define their future relationship, specific issues will need to be addressed to enable excellent research and innovation to flourish.
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EASAC Commentary: Forest Bioenergy and Carbon Neutrality
15 June 2018Commentary by the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC) on Forest Bioenergy and Carbon Neutrality
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Findings and recommendations from the Smart Villages Initiative 2014–2017
28 June 2018European National Science Academies and Smart Villages Initiative present Recommendations for the European Development Community,
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Loss of Trust? Loss of Trustworthiness? Truth and Expertise Today
29 May 2018European Academies publish Discussion Paper on Loss of Trust in Science and Expertise.
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Response to the Public Consultation on the update of the Higher Education Authority Act 1971
16 March 2018Response to the consultation by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) in respect of the proposed update of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971.
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International Delegates Report 2017
14 March 2018Reports from our international delegates on their activities
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‘Opportunities and challenges for research on food and nutrition security and agriculture in Europe’ – relevance to Ireland
14 March 2018A briefing paper on the EASAC Report - ‘Opportunities and challenges for research on food and nutrition security and agriculture in Europe’
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EASAC (2017) ‘Negative emission technologies: What role in meeting Paris Agreement targets?’ - Relevance to Ireland
27 February 2018This report is significant to Ireland’s stated ambitions to become a competitive, low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050.
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Briefing on Northern Ireland Budgetary Outlook 2018-20
26 January 2018Submission prepared by the Royal Irish Academy North South Standing Committee in response to a briefing document concerning the budgetary outlook for Northern Ireland.
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Brexit and the Irish Border: Historical Context
19 October 2017This paper highlights some key aspects of the history of the Irish border over the past century to inform current discussions in relation to the United Kingdom’s (UK) planned departure from the European Union (EU) in...
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Brexit and the Irish Border: Legal and Political Questions
19 October 2017Brexit presents a number of challenges in relation to the Irish Border. There are legal and political dimensions to these and, in particular, a series of constitutional questions concerning Northern Ireland.
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The Common Travel Area: More Than Just Travel
19 October 2017The Common Travel Area (the CTA) is one of the key issues in the current Brexit talks. In principle, it now allows free movement for British and Irish citizens (only) between the two states.
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The Good Friday Agreement, Brexit and Rights
19 December 2017The Good Friday Agreement (‘the GFA’) is both a peace agreement, and the basis for reformed government in Northern Ireland. This paper examines the impact of Brexit on the document.
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Research and Higher Education on the Island of Ireland after Brexit
21 November 2017Report by the Royal irish Academy Brexit Taskforce Republic of Ireland Working Group outling strategic actions which must be taken to ensure that research and higher education in Ireland are not negatively impacted by...
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Higher Education and Research in Northern Ireland Post-Brexit
30 November 2017The Royal Irish Academy Brexit Taskforce Northern Ireland Report on the potential impact of Brexit on higher education and research.
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RIA Brexit Factsheet- Ireland-UK Higher-Education and Research Connections
05 October 2017The RIA Brexit Taskforce has compiled key data and facts in relation to the likely impact of Brexit on the higher education and research sector in Ireland
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Submission to Ireland's National Position Paper on the EU 9th Framework Programme
26 May 2017RIA submission to deliberations of the Cross Government High Level group on Horizon 2020 as it prepares Ireland’s national position paper on the 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
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Archaeology 2025: Strategic Pathways for Archaeology in Ireland
02 May 2017This strategy is the result of an eight-month consultation process that actively involved a wide range of stakeholders at local, national, cross-border and international levels.
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Consultation Response regarding the National Training Fund
24 April 2017Response to the Consultation by the Department of Education and Skills on Proposed Employer-Exchequer Investment Mechanism for Higher Education and Further Education and Training
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Academy Advice Paper 10
20 April 2016Royal Irish Academy Advice Paper on the Sustainability of the Northern Ireland Higher Education Sector.
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Academy Advice Paper 9
25 February 2016Royal Irish Academy Advice Paper ‘Does Ireland need a Minister for Higher Education and Research?’
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Academy Advice Paper 8
29 January 2016Royal Irish Academy Advice Paper on the Future Funding of Higher Education in Ireland.
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