The Appliance of science is clouded in confusion

Ireland is in the midst of a technology boom with incoming high-tech multinational companies producing investment, thousands of jobs and keeping the Celtic Tiger well fed. The Government is anxious, however, to broaden this base by attracting more intermediate-sized, knowledge-based companies that might establish major research centres rather than just manufacturing facilities.

Where do you put such companies however? In the US, and to a degree in Britain, they gravitate towards science parks. These are specially designed centres where research-driven companies rent space and "network" with one another. There are usually specialised telecommunications facilities available and they are often decidedly attractive, tranquil places where the technology nerd can gaze upon trees, grass and lakes and think up new inventions.

There has been talk of setting up such places for over a decade, although only in recent times have firm moves been taken to put a science park into place. The Government has committed £2 million for an innovation centre at the 330-acre Citywest campus, on the Naas Road, west of Dublin. A 15,000 sq ft complex is under construction and a chief executive, Michael Donnelly, is in place to bring the project to life.

In another development, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has joined forces with Dunloe Ewart plc to develop a 64acre science park at Cherrywood, Loughlinstown.

Work is under way on the first two buildings, offering a total of 110,000 sq ft.

However, the overall picture is rather confused. There are few agreed definitions for these centres. Will they become science parks, technology parks or business parks? There are also rezonings and planning applications that show similar developments are under way elsewhere.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown council received an application last month for a mixed-use development of 1,756,286 sq ft at Rocklands, Leopardstown Road, from Clyde Road Partnership. The application says it would include: "science and technology-based industries, tele-marketing, data processing, software development and information technology uses". It would also include a hotel, conference and ancillary facilities and services.

If it attracts such businesses, does it count as a science park?

There are a number of extensive rezonings agreed in the Fingal County Council area which are earmarked for high-tech companies. All told, 750 acres have been changed from agricultural to "ST1" for science park, campus-type development, including 600 acres near Blanchardstown and another 64 acres near Swords. The council also rezoned a number of existing industrial areas for science and technology development.

The object would be to attract computer companies, firms using advanced telecommunications and high-tech research and service companies to these areas, explained Keith Simpson, senior planner.

Planners in Naas have zoned for a "Millennium Park", which is designed to attract high-tech companies. The University of Limerick (UL) also has its long-established Plassey Technology Park, which for over a decade has attracted technology companies and manufacturers. More recently, it developed an innovation unit within the park, which furthers its aims to foster links between UL researchers and commercial enterprises at the technology park.

In Dublin, the "master plan" prepared by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) specifies the development of a "Technopole", a science park by any other name, according to a DDDA spokesman. No firm plans had yet been established as to location, acreage or building development, he said.

It was possible to create definitions for the various science/technology /business park approaches, according to Dermot O'Doherty, manager, technology and innovation policy, at Forfas. The terms were often used incorrectly, however.

A true science park should contain standalone commercial companies but also an incubation unit for pre-commercial firms, an innovation centre for infant companies and extensive support facilities to sustain them, all sprinkled across a wonderfully landscaped and scenic campus. The original concept also included the close involvement and participation of a third-level institution, such as a university, to interact with emerging and existing companies.

The object of the approach was to foster networking and interaction between the players, he said. "There is a networking potential. If there are people together at one location, it gives them a chance to meet." This could mean the parking lot, in the canteen or even walking about the campus.

Ireland, he believes should have a "true" science park. "I think that the benefits are real but also psychological." It would represent a showcase where Ireland Inc could bring foreign investors and show off what it could do.

Developers and planners should not, however, get too hung up on pursuing only the science park ideal. There was also the risk that too much space could be provided. "I think that there is a limit. People shouldn't be afraid to face up to this. Not everyone should be aiming to be a science park. There are different ways and different strategies."

There were a wide range of development options "that were just as desirable for the national benefit", he said. "There is no point in the Government or private sector investing in a plethora of science parks."