Sir, WITS (the Irish association for Women in Technology and Science) welcomes the announcement of the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (STIAC) by the Minister of State, Mr Rabbitte. The council has been given the opportunity to build on the ground breaking work in the area of science, technology and innovation policy, which assumed tactile form in the first ever White Paper on STI, launched at the end of October 1996.
The White Paper highlighted the low representation of women in many areas of science, technology and innovation. It noted the view that both the State and industry lose out if women are not given equal opportunities to use their talents at all levels.
The significant proportion of women appointed to the council, its breadth across industry, academia and the social partners and its high degree of independence are positive reflections of the importance of the council. The future economic and social development of Ireland through the involvement of all people in scientific and technological progress can be strongly influenced by its work. WITS wishes the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council every success in this important endeavour. - Yours, etc.,
Chairperson of WITS,
P.O. Box 3783,
Dublin 4.