The two ministers with responsibility for science and innovation have signalled their willingness to roll back a restriction on third-level employment practices that was introduced in the final days of the last government.
The Employment Control Framework is the third-level's version of the public sector staffing embargo.
In a move widely criticised by academics and colleges, the last administration widened its application to include research positions funded from non-Exchequer sources.
Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton said this morning that the Government could not have a system that might restrict research.
He said in this context his Department along with others were looking at issues that were decided recently.
Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn said the Government would welcome constructive suggestions from third-level to overcome this problem.
He said where research activity was funded from outside tax revenue you had to find a way. But he said that anything that affected the pension liability of the State would also have to be addressed.
He said within that constraint the Government would entertain creative ideas.
