Successive Irish governments have shown scant regard for the importance of scientific and technological research as part of any national economic programme. Indeed, for some considerable time there has been a strong sense in the scientific and research community that research has played a pivotal role in our economic growth despite the lack of support received from government.
All of this is changed radically with yesterday's announcement that the Government intends to invest £180 million in scientific research over the next three years. Some £75 million will be drawn from Exchequer funding with matching finance from the private sector which will be raised by the universities and, hopefully, by the institutes of technology. The funds will be used for laboratories, computer and study facilities and research library developments. Some £30 million will be spent on grants and scholarships.
By contrast, an initial £5 million was allocated in last year's Estimates for the Programme of Scientific and Technological Research in Third Level Institutions. In this context, the chairman of the Conference of Irish Universities, Dr Danny O'Hare, was scarcely exaggerating when he described the new programme as a "historic breakthrough and the single most important initiative in investing in Ireland's research infrastructure since the foundation of the State".
Coincidentally, the Government's initiative was announced on the day that The Irish Times and the RDS launched a £30,000 research bursary to honour Irish scientific excellence. Its recipients will also receive a medal commemorating the father of modern chemistry, Irishman Robert Boyle. The president of the RDS, Mr Liam Connellan, is correct when he says that the Irish tradition of scientific initiative and innovation has not received the recognition it deserves. It was to be hoped, he said, that the RDS Irish Times Boyle Medal will help to focus attention on this record of excellence.
In launching the Government programme yesterday, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, stressed the critical importance of the sciences to our current economic wellbeing. Higher education research was absolutely critical in helping to attract knowledge-based industries to Ireland, he said.
It is also critical in helping to maintain our current economic momentum. The flow of companies that have been drawn to this State can best be held in place and extended by a high value-added culture of innovation in which research and development work features prominently. A national system of innovation drawing from investment in research is also essential in helping to encourage and assist the growth of indigenous industry. The Minister for Education, Mr Martin, went to the heart of the matter yesterday when he said that one cannot have a "cutting edge" economy without drawing on a base of "cutting edge" research work.
Until now, the lack of investment in research was always incomprehensible, given the quality of Irish education and the outstanding ability of Irish scientists and technologists to undertake pioneering and useful work across a broad range of activities. Yesterday's announcement makes up for lost time; it is no less welcome for that.