Sir, - As a research scientist working in one of our universities, I am simply appalled at what the Minister for Science and Technology has announced. I do not write on behalf of anyone but myself, but I can assure your readers that what I say accurately represents the feelings of frustration, humiliation and anger of Irish scientists.
Morale is at an all time low. Last December, Forbairt invited scientists working in third level institutions to submit research proposals for funding, and a total of 358 proposals were submitted. Each of these would have taken upwards of a week's work to prepare, with another month for the administration of the scheme by Forbairt - at least 1,800 working days spent by highly paid professionals.
And what has come out of this enormously time consuming and hugely expensive exercise? The Minister has provided funds for 29 of the 358 submitted projects! What a sheer waste of time and effort on the part of those who submitted the other 329 projects.
A fortune has been squandered in this whole miserable process. We'd get far better value if we sacked those who are paid to administer science and employed more scientists who actually do it. The Minister's salary would support a dozen graduate students. The cost of a single glossy propaganda brochure from Forbairt would go towards supporting another.
Over the past couple of years we have been embarrassed by stinging articles in the international scientific press (e.g. Nature) on the pitiful level of support for Irish science, and after much agitation, including letters and articles in your newspaper, and a report in 1997 from a special government committee (STIAC), the climate seemed to change for the better. The Minister's announcement yesterday now makes Irish scientists once more a laughing stock amongst their peers abroad.
There is no future for our top young scientists here. They are taking their talents abroad and will never return. The Minister said that his Government has "underpinned the key role of science and technology". It has undermined it. Irish science has survived over the past several years only because of the success of our best people in winning substantial funds from EU sources. Brussels has recognised their worth. It is time that our own Government did likewise. - Yours, etc., Peter H. Boyle,
Terenure, Dublin 6W.