‘Deep concern’ at Government’s research priority

More than 900 Irish scientists working at home and abroad have said they are “deeply concerned” about the Government’s research policies.

In an open letter, they said there needed to be a re-balancing of how Irish science was funded, with an emphasis not just on commercially focused research but also exploratory research across a wide range of disciplines.

“We are deeply concerned about the research policies implemented by the current Government,” said the letter. “The policy of sustained investment in scientific excellence that helped build a vibrant scientific community in Ireland over the past 15 years has given way to a short-sighted drive for commercialisable research in a very limited set of prescribed areas.”