THE body set up to advise the Government on science policy has been strongly criticised by industrial researchers, who believe it will become "a talking shop for academics".
The Industry Research and Development Group, affiliated to IBEC, responded yesterday to the composition of the new Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council, announced on Monday by the Minister of State for Commerce, Science and Technology, Mr Pat Rabbitte.
Mr Rabbitte had left industry "in the lurch", according to Dr Dick Kavanagh, managing director of the IRDG. "He has let industry down."
The council has 23 members including its chairman, Dr Edward Walsh, president of the University of Limerick. There are six members from industry, two from semi-state bodies and 12 from third-level institutions. The TUI and the Irish Exporters' Association are also represented.
"The council is heavily biased towards academia and the State agencies," Dr Kavanagh said. "Our worst fears, that the new council will become a talking shop for academies, have been confirmed. How can a body with such a heavy academic composition carry any credibility with industry?"
The IRDG, which comprises over loo companies involved in research in Ireland, had no problem with any individual on the council he said.
"We are all in favour of the council but it has to be meaningful and has to be credible. It doesn't bode well for the future. I worry about the credibility."
The council was promised last October in the Government's White Paper on science. Its role is to advise Government on policy related to science, research and innovation. University researchers had criticised the delay in announcing the council's members.
"It is great that we have it and we hope it will have the broad remit it is supposed to have," said Dr John Donovan, executive secretary of the Irish Research Scientists' Association.
"We will give it time to see if it will work. But more importantly, will Pat Rabbitte or whoever comes after him take the decisions passed on from the council?" he asked.
There had been advisory groups on science in the past, he said, but governments did not always act on the advice given. He defended the academic versus industrial balance. "I think the makeup reflects the breakdown of research in the country."
Dr Vivian O'Gorman, chief executive officer of the Health Research Board, said it was a "welcome development".
