The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, is to ask the Government for formal approval to build a science and technology museum in Dublin, with branches in Cork and Galway, it was learned last night.
The Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (ICSTI) has already endorsed a report recommending the project, drawn up by a working group from the enterprise, science and technology board Forfas.
The project has not been fully-costed but it is estimated it could involve capital expenditure of from £5 to £20 million.
It is envisaged that it would be an interactive museum in which children and other visitors could interact with exhibits, and with interchangeable sections which could be exchanged with museums abroad.
News of the museum proposal emerged after Ms Harney told the Vice-Mayor of Shanghai, Ms Zuo Huanchen, of her idea. Ms Harney had been praising Shanghai's science and technology museum. She said: "One of my ambitions is to establish a science and technology museum in Dublin. I have established a working group in Ireland to look at this."
Officials at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment travelling with the Tanaiste later confirmed to The Irish Times that planning for the project was at an advanced stage. The working group was set up by Forfas after it was asked by ICSTI to prepare a report on the project. The report was completed recently and endorsed by ICSTI.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is now preparing a memo to the Government seeking formal approval for the concept, an official said. If approved, the intention is to set up an expert group - made up of international and Irish personnel - to recommend on format, content and location. The official said it had also been suggested there shouldn't be just one museum in the greater Dublin area, but sections in Cork and Galway. Because of the expenditure involved, Cabinet approval would be necessary.
Ms Harney said she became enthusiastic about such a project after visiting the science and technology museum in Tel Aviv last year. "The reasoning behind such projects is that Ireland has got to stay at the forefront in the area of science and technology," an official said. "It's very important that we interest kids in science, and take science in secondary schools.
"The Government is introducing science to the primary school curriculum next year or the year after. If students don't take science at second-level they won't take it at university level. It's all part of an effort to raise the awareness of science and technology."
In an exchange of views about relations between Ireland and Shanghai, Ms Zuo made a point of inviting Irish arts and artists to visit Shanghai, Asia's fastest growing and most dynamic city. Ms Harney is on a tour of China taking in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.