Each year the British Association for the Advancement of Science organises a Festival of Science, an event that affords a showcase for the work done by researchers in the United Kingdom. Held this year in Glasgow, the week-long meeting has just drawn to a close and as ever provided the public a rare opportunity to look at the work being done, often with government funding, by the UK's scientists.
There are few such events where the public are encouraged to attend free lectures delivered by the scientists who have done the work, ask questions, complain, make a point or just sample the often remarkable discoveries coming out of the laboratories. The aim of the festival is to promote a better public understanding of the nature and importance to society of scientific endeavour.
This State needs to participate at the highest level in research and scientific discovery and as a provider of funds for this activity through taxation, the public must be both informed and involved. Public awareness is also essential if there is to be full accountability of how tax monies are expended on research.
The Government has embarked on an unprecedented level of investment in science under its National Development Programme that runs through to 2006. It has committed 500 million to Science Foundation Ireland, which will direct funds into biotechnology and information technology research. Another 500 million is being directed into the Programme for Investment in Third Level Institutions overseen by the Higher Education Agency.
We must remain confident that the best possible use is being made of this resource and as a result public awareness is essential. It is perhaps therefore timely that the Republic consider the creation of its own association for the advancement of science.
The British body is matched by a similar body in the US - the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Both provide a meeting point for researchers and the public. The annual festivals allow Britain and the US to demonstrate achievements not only in the sciences but also the humanities.
High quality research and subsequent discovery is the only criteria for inclusion in the programme. It would be essential that an Irish equivalent remain separate and independent both from government and its various agencies, although a commonality of objective - the development of Irish-based research - suggests that State support would be both desirable and important.