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Science For Ireland
Science For Ireland
The Microbiology Society Publishes A Position Statement On Irish Science
As newly elected members of Ireland’s 33rd Dáil meet to discuss formation of a new Government, the Microbiology Society has published a position statement, “Science for Ireland: Propelling Research and Innovation Success”, advising how the new Government can ensure the nation remains at the forefront of international science.
The Microbiology Society urges the next Government to:
- Strengthen public and private investment in research and innovation.
- Develop, attract and retain scientific talent.
- Support research and innovation through expert advice and cooperation.
The Government of Ireland has committed to a doubling of public and private spending on research & development (R&D) bringing total expenditure to 2.5% of gross national product. The long-term transformation of the research ecosystem underpinned by this target requires more ambitious and coordinated action, including a significant increase in public investment in R&D and greater support for diversity and creativity in research.
The statement emphasises the importance of rebalancing the funding of science to strongly support a diverse range of research across the full breadth of scientific disciplines. It also calls for more ambitious approaches to research and innovation across the island of Ireland at a time when the cross-border relationship is being threatened by the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
These recommendations are based on views gathered from their members in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland through a series of surveys, workshops and one-to-one interviews from December 2018 to November 2019.
A pdf of the Position Statement is available to download here
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