Irish comedian and TV presenter Dara O’Briain believes Ireland is falling behind in terms of the number of maths and science graduates it produces on the international stage.
Speaking in Dublin’s Botanic Gardens as he launched the 10-day Science in the City festival which kicks off this weekend he said: ‘‘Ireland is falling behind in terms of maths in a huge way. It’s failed to meet a lot of European Commission guidelines in terms of increasing the number of graduates.’’
He hopes the science festival, which will see an innovative range of science themed events taking place across Dublin, will tap into people’s sense of wonder and encourage an interest in science.
‘‘That we’re the very bottom of the pile in Europe in terms of science graduates and in terms of women taking up science; it’s actually gone backwards in the last 10 years,’’ he added.
The festival, which begins tomorrow and runs until the 15th of July, will consist of over 60 events.
The festival highlights include an appearance from Mr O’Briain, various film festivals and a talk for young people from the head of Nasa Charles Bolden.
Mr O’Briain will present 'The Age of Reason: How Logic Can Save Us...Again' which will see him and a panel of thinkers take a satirical approach to science and the challenges facing society at an event in Trinity College Dublin.
The head of CERN Rolf Heuer will address a public meeting on the Higgs Boson.
This Sunday at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, science and art will merge together for the Science, Art and Submarines children’s event.
The festival is being held to celebrate Dublin hosting Europe’s largest science event, the Euroscience Open Forum, which takes place in the Dublin Convention Centre this month from 11th July – 15th July.