White Paper emphasises science's importance

THE most comprehensive review of science policy ever undertaken in this State is to be published in the coming few weeks, the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology. Mr Pat Rabbitte, said at the weekend.

The minister told the Irish Research Scientist Association (IRSA) summer school in Trabolgan, Co Cork, he would be bringing a White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation to Government in "the next few weeks" and seeking agreement for its immediate publication.

"The White Paper, will, I believe, demonstrate that this Government places science and technology firmly within the framework of wider industrial and economic development," Mr Rabbitte said.

Basic research and the need to strengthen the links between researchers and industry will be addressed in the paper.

"Ireland's competitiveness will be based ultimately on the application, and I stress the application, of science and technology, the conversion of knowledge into wealth and a better society."

Mr Rabbitte said it was his role in Government to ensure structures were in place to stimulate the innovation capacity of the economy and that the science and technology factor is given due attention.

It was one of the roles of the scientific community to bring science to the people in layman's English, the Minister said.

"In this way the business sector, the media and the citizen and this Government, will appreciate the important benefits which research can bring."

Mr Rabbitte criticised the association for not doing ail it could to raise public awareness of the benefits arising from scientific research.

For example, the Irish public and media would, no doubt, like to hear your views on the question of how science and technology can be used in the fight against drugs, how it can impact on the BSE crisis, and the pros and cons of the information society," he said.