Vision of Ireland's Long-term Scientific Interests Needed, according to Dr Patrick Wall
Ireland needs policies based on sound science and robust risk assessments, not responses in proportion to media coverage of issues or to lobbying by vested interests, according to Dr Patrick Wall, Associate Professor of Public Health at the UCD School of Public Health and Population Science.
At the 2006 Teagasc Walsh Postgraduate Fellowships seminar at the RDS in Dublin today (Tuesday, November 14th, 2006), Dr Wall said universities, institutes of technology and Teagasc needed to work together and put their shoulders to the wheel for the benefit of the agri-food sector and Ireland Inc, and work to a well-defined and agreed single agenda. "Such a system would avoid duplication of effort and facilities and make us more competitive at an international level.
"There is no room for small minds, petty competition or sensitive egos. The consequences are grave if we don't put our best team on the pitch in this increasingly competitive global match. The rewards are great if we harness the synergies there for the taking, if we foster multi-disciplinary inter-institutional working, " he said.
Dr Wall praised the Walsh Fellowship researchers, who he said were "the drivers for future growth of the Irish economy. There is a vital need for highly-trained scientists who can evaluate risks and assist us in developing an evidence base for our policies," he added.
Mr Tom Kirley, Acting Director of Teagasc, said the Walsh Fellowship scheme had helped retain in Ireland high-quality graduates who might otherwise have been lost to research and to the Irish economy.
"Since its inception, over 800 postgraduate students have participated in the scheme. A number of these are now - or have been - Teagasc staff members and others are employed in the agri-food industry in Ireland and abroad. Many of these continue to make a vital contribution to the Irish agri-food industry. The students entering the industry bring with them an appreciation of, and skills in, science and technology, which in the long run will help raise the level of innovation and competitivness of the Irish food industry," he said.
Mr Kirley added that Teagasc continued to be a major supporter of postgraduate students in Ireland, funding more than 130 students pursuing MSc or PhD programmes at any one time. The organisation commits a budget in excess of € 2 million a year to the Walsh Postgraduate Fellowships Scheme.
The annual Walsh Postgraduate Fellowships seminar is organised by Teagasc, in association with the RDS, as part of its contribution to Science Week 2006.
Walsh Fellowship holders in the final stages of their research work present their research findings at the seminar. The RDS medal and a Teagasc award are presented to the person selected as Young Researcher of the Year at the concluson of the seminar.
The Walsh Fellowships are named after the late Dr Tom Walsh, first director of both the Agricultural Research Institute and ACOT, and a prime mover in developing agriculture and food research in Ireland.
