White Paper on science may have done "more harm than good"

THE Government's White Paper on science may have done more harm than good, according to the Irish Research Scientists' Association (IRSA), which also warned that Ireland's continued economic growth may be hampered by a lack of State investment in research.

The IRSA yesterday released its response to the White Paper, which was published last October. The association represents over 100 researchers working here.

While there were many positive things in the White Paper, it "is unfortunately not the answer" for developing a national plan for science, it said.

By ignoring earlier recommendations in similar reports, "the White Paper may have done more harm than good. It is not an inspirational document and would not encourage an Irish researcher with an international reputation, working abroad, to feel they had a future here. For Irish research that is the acid test. The White Paper fails".

It criticised the White Paper for failing to address what it described as the fragmented administration of science, the question of capital equipment, the role of universities in innovation and the underpinning of research skills which are part of any national science, technology and innovation system.

State funding for research equipment was a particular problem, it said. "Access to modern research equipment is an absolute prerequisite to carry on any modern research project." Without this access, Ireland cannot participate as an equal in global science".

The White Paper made little effort to address the role of the colleges in innovation it said.

"This failure to understand the need for research in the third level, and fundamental research in particular, forces one to question some of the other wisdoms contained in the rest of the White Paper."

The main reason to support this research "is because it underpins our capability to do any other kind of research, both in terms of generating the knowledge and more importantly, providing a skilled body of people useful to education, training, industry and State," it said.

"In a manner exactly analogous to the road infrastructure, the availability of research expertise is an infrastructural need to ensure that future jobs are not lost because we could not find the resources to develop and secure the necessary skills here," IRSA said.