Treacy dubious about plan for science centre

The establishment of a national science centre would be "good for tourism and business alike," the Minister of State with responsibility for science has stated. But winning Government finance for such a project would be difficult, Mr Noel Treacy said.

He was launching a feasibility study which suggested that Ireland should build a national science centre costing £30.5 million. The study was prepared on behalf of the RDS and Forfas by Dr Joost Douma, founder of the Netherlands' national centre.

Dr Douma said that in creating a national centre Ireland would be creating an industry. While it was an attraction it was also an educational showcase.

It would function as a "school for teachers", he stated. "It is a national education laboratory" and would make an important investment in Ireland's teachers.

Its creation would have to involve both public and private funding, however. He indicated that the cost should be borne equally by Government, the local authority and the private sector.

His study opts for a location on the River Liffey at the old gasworks site off Sir John Rogerson's Quay, where a large new building would be constructed with space for outside displays.

"I personally am in favour," Mr Treacy said. "The money will be hard to get but we have to consider it. Where we put it and how we finance it would have to be considered."

It was unlikely, however, that support would be available quickly enough to develop a centre as a project to mark the millennium, he added.

He "applauded" the RDS for initiating the study, saying that science had played a "central role" in the development of the economy. The centre would enable the public "to develop a hands-on relationship with science", he said, overcoming the popular perception of science as "white coats, bunsen burners and boffins".

"I am very much committed to the development of a national science centre. If we focus in a positive way we can achieve it."

There was a mixed reaction from those supporting rival sites at the old Pigeon House power station farther down the Liffey and the DISCovery project proposed for Stack A in the IFSC.

Ms Helen Perry, director of the Pigeon House Trust, said she was more frustrated than disappointed about the report. "I think it muddies the waters at the moment. Clearly we can't have three or four centres. There has been no decision made, this is just another element in the picture. It could give people an opportunity to do nothing."

Ms Rose Kevany, who for 11 years has advocated the establishment of a science museum in Stack A, said she strongly supported the report and its idea of what a science centre could do for Ireland.

She has argued against proposing too expensive a centre which could not be supported into the future.

"The only flaw I see is it requires too much money," she said. The Stack A proposal had been reduced to £6 million for this reason.