The EU's science and research commissioner Janez Potocnik will tell Government ministers in Dublin today that backtracking on its ambitious plans to boost research and development (R&D) funding would damage Ireland's economic prospects.
"You have to be patient and be consistent and you have to constantly support this sector in at least a period of time that would mark the change seriously," Mr Potocnik said in advance of his two-day visit to the Republic.
In an interview with The Irish Times, Mr Potocnik praised the Government's research policy, in particular efforts to boost industry's spend on R&D and moves by universities towards specialisation. But he said Ireland remained below the European average on R&D spending - accounting for 1.56 per cent of GDP in 2005 compared to an EU average of 1.84 per cent, well below a 2010 target of 3 per cent, which was agreed by EU leaders in 2002.
Mr Potocnik acknowledged that Europe's finance ministers would face pressure over the next few months to trim government spending as the EU economy slowed.
In August, the Government announced funding of €230 million for research in third-level institutions. This will help to support 350 more researchers.
Mr Potocnik has sought recently to persuade EU governments to do more to achieve the 3 per cent target, but admits that it will be missed. "It would be fair to say that reaching the target of 3 per cent in 2010 is practically mission impossible," he said.
Mr Potocnik will meet Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin, visit DCU and Trinity College Dublin, and speak at the Royal Irish Academy and the Science Foundation of Ireland summit.
