Funding for science must be maintained

THE Government must continue funding education and research in science properly, a leading academic told UCC graduates yesterday.

Professor Fergus Shanahan of the university’s Medicine department said the 168 people graduating from the Faculty of Science would have opportunities to contribute to Ireland’s economic ascent and the creation of an innovative society by influencing others and supporting science.

“We elect our politicians. We must convince them not to be deflected from sustaining support for science education and research. Our universities and other third level institutions must be at world class standard and we must settle for nothing less.

“This is critical if we are to increase the supply of well trained and research-experienced scientists. We must also put pressure on indigenous and foreign industries in Ireland to become more innovative by engaging in research in Ireland,” said Prof Shanahan.

Last week, University of Limerick president Prof Roger Downer accused the Government of threatening the country’s competitiveness by continuing to delay a €150 million capital funding programme for research in third level institutions.

Earlier yesterday, screenwriter and political columnist Eoghan Harris told graduates from UCC’s Law and Food Science and Technology faculties that society is in trouble when it has to pass laws forcing people to be friends.

“So, when we obey the law that says we must not insult immigrants, we are only doing the bare minimum, and we cannot build a society on such a barren margin. But if we change ourselves, we are signalling that outsiders are welcome to our country,” he said.

“By making Ireland a safe place for strangers to live, we are making it a safer place for the natives to live as well, because we have added to the sum of civility without which no country can call itself civilised,” said Mr Harris.