Sir, - Mr Cotm MacDonnell of the Irish Exporters' Association has pointed out (January 9th) that the Government White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation ignores industrial design. Indeed, your own review of the White Paper on December 9th did not once refer to design, industrial or otherwise.
This should not be surprising. The White Paper is only the latest in a series of reports on industrial strategy and innovation which have failed to make the connection between improved product design and the growth of the economy.
These have resolutely ignored the impressive evidence from other countries, including Japan and the United States, that industrial design is the fastest and cheapest route to product innovation and development.
This was underscored by the exhibition of work of industrial design graduates of the National College of Art and Design held at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay, last November. Under the title "Design for Innovation", this included work by Irish designers for American, British, French, Italian, Spanish, Swiss and Korean firms.
It is absurd to train designers (at considerable public expense) and not promote their employment by industry and commerce. Other countries do this and also promote the benefits of improved design to the consumer.
Ireland is the only country in the European Union without an official design promotion organisation or organised lobby group. More than 35 years ago, Sean Lemass identified the potential of design in industrial development and charged Coras Trachtala with its promotion. Considerable progress followed with the setting up of Kilkenny Design Workshops, the inauguration of the first course for training industrial designers and the establishment of the Society of Designers in Ireland.
However, official interest in the subject was declined over the past decade to a point where it could be fairly claimed that no country in Europe eared less about industrial design than this one. The proposed permanent Science, Technology and Innovation Council will not change this. What is needed is a dedicated Council of Industrial Design established as a Joint venture by industry, government and the design profession. - Yours, etc.,
Claremont Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4.