IT IS quite probable that a majority of people in Ireland could name a prominent Irish historian, but not a prominent Irish scientist.
This is an unhealthy state of affairs, not because I think historians are unimportant, but because science has yet to assume its rightful place in our national consciousness. In past decades, science and technology was neglected, and indeed ignored, at national policy level. This has now changed.
Science, technology and innovation (STI) have been identified as vital elements essential to the future well being of our economy. STI drives at least 60 per cent of Irish economic growth. The development of a coherent policy to foster all aspects of STI is part of the Government agenda. This has been firmly marked with the recent publication of the first White Paper on science, technology and innovation in Ireland.
The White Paper begins the process of coherently implementing the recommendations of the 1995 Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (STIAC) Report. That report was a landmark development in the history of Irish science and technology, and the first truly indigenous review of where Ireland stands in this area, and where we need to go.
STIAC points to our everyday lives in the modern world - which have been transformed by science based technology. We are all immersed in, and dependent on, a world of sophisticated devices and gadgets - microwave ovens, refrigerators, CD players, television, radio, personal computers, telecommunications, air travel, ATM machines, and so on. Furthermore, this world is changing rapidly before our eyes.
Consider the recent developments in electronic money movement that have revolutionised our financial institutions. This revolution was powered entirely by the application of electronic information technology. Also, economies in the developed world are now open, old protections are gone, and you have to be quick on your feet, willing to take risks, and, above all, innovative in order to prosper.
The leading world economies pay great attention to STI programmes. Japan publishes a white paper on science and technology every year and invests 3.05 per cent of GDP on research and development.
Ireland, on the other hand, invests 1 per cent of GDP on research and development. Experience in the leading countries has shown that fostering science and technology and innovating new products pays off handsomely in terms of employment. Between 1970 and 1989, employment in Japanese manufacturing industry rose by 4 per cent overall. Since 1970, employment in OECD science based industries has increased by 20 per cent. Innovation is the key concept, i.e. developing a better product, an equally good but cheaper product, or a product that will perform a function previously not possible.
UNEMPLOYMENT is a major problem in Ireland. If the problem is to be solved, and if the standard of living for those at work is to be maintained and improved, Irish industry will have to become much more dynamic and innovative. This will require full utilisation of the latest science based technology and the development of a culture in which sensible risk taking is encouraged. The situation at present is very unhealthy in this regard. Two thirds of the R&D presently carried out in Irish industry is in the foreign owned sector. Indigenous Irish industry spends very little on R&D - the food and drink industry spends only 0.5 per cent of sales on R&D.
The more important primary levels that need attention when designing a national strategy for science and technology are the following:
. a coherent government plan for distributing resources that foster science and technology initiatives;
. third level education of scientists, research programmes, and liaison with industry;
. enhanced science, technology and enterprise curriculums in second level and first level education;
. schemes to encourage R&D in indigenous industry and to facilitate diffusion of new technology into these industries;
. initiatives to foster an appreciation and understanding of science among the public.
The STIAC report made sensible recommendations in all of these areas.
The State invests about £780 million a year on science/technology related activities. In the White Paper, the Government proposes to establish a planning process for State investment in science and technology to ensure a coherent approach spread over 12 departments and over 30 agencies. A Cabinet committee on science, technology and innovation will direct the process, which will be conducted by an inter departmental committee.
A new permanent science, technology and innovation advisory council will be established to provided expert and independent advice. Business spending on research and developmental will be encouraged by introducing tax incentives. Assistance will be given to firms which currently have little or no technological competence.
Efforts will be made to remove or reduce barriers to the availability of venture capital for technology based companies. The role of research in the third level sector is recognised and extra funding will be provided.
Resources will be expended to improve the public perception of STI.
I have a particular interest in third level research, and in improving the public understanding of science and technology. I read the introduction to the section in the White Paper on third level research with dismay - "No subject in the history of public policy debate has generated more heat and less light than the controversy over the role and significance of basic research in the innovation system. Does basic research lead directly to economic benefit for the State in which it is carried out?"
Surely, I thought, the White Paper is not going to dither over whether or not basic research is of economic importance. That case has been proved so many times that to question it is about as sensible as wondering if taking exercise is good for your health. With a sigh of relief, I then noted that the White Paper goes on to list four major arguments for supporting basic research - the need to be strong in the basic science in areas of strategic national importance; to maintain internationally recognised standards in third level education; to ensure that Irish colleges are attractive to high quality students; and to create a pool of skilled scientists as an essential basis for industrial and economic development.
I agree with the foregoing reasons for supporting basic research. However, we must not drift into a situation where national policy on basic research is exclusively conditioned by expectations of economic spin off. Basic scientific research is also a creative process and therefore practitioners have no choice but to pursue it for its own sake and wherever it may lead (within reason), just as a musician performs and composes largely out of intrinsic interest. Basic research in the universities is in great need of extra support, and there is a particularly urgent need to upgrade research equipment. STIAC recommended that annual research support should rise to £6 million from the present £1.5 million.
The White paper also announces that the Government is providing funding to enable Forfas to undertake a three year campaign to raise awareness of science and technology generally in Ireland.
The STIAC report was critical of the perceived reluctance of the Irish media to cover science and technology. The White Paper notes that, in the meantime, there have been a few welcome initiatives in this area, for example, the Science Today column.
Media interest in Irish science is increasing. But media interest is a two way street. There is an onus on scientists to attract attention ash well as a responsibility on the media to give attention.
Things are starting to look up for Irish science and technology. Mr Pat Rabbitte, Minister of State for Commerce, Science and Technology has played a very important part. Since he took on this brief we have seen improved support for post graduate students and for post doctoral positions, and now we have the White Paper.
The process has begun. It is moving in the right direction, but much effort and wisdom will be required from all relevant sectors - government, educational and business - for the road ahead.