Thinking Big

Ireland is spending EURO2.5 billion playing catch-up in science, but will that be enough after years of neglect, asks Katharine Davis

THE west coast of Ireland is far more familiar as a handsome backdrop for movies such as The Quiet Man and Ryan’s Daughter than as a site for advanced technology. Nonetheless, Galway Bay is home to a prestigious EURO12 million project based at the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) which should transform the internet.

DERI is not alone. Ireland finally appears to be serious about the industries of the the 21st century, information technology and biotechnology. DERI is one of five Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSETs) funded by Science Foundation Ireland, which has EURO646 million to invest in research in the two flagship areas. As Ena Prosser, head of the biotech division of Enterprise Ireland, a government funding body, says: “We have a huge base in both those areas so we are well placed ? if we do it smartly.”

.
.
.

[More]