I am particularly pleased to be here in Belderrig to-day, in my capacity as Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, at the official launch ceremony, for the Belderrig Research and Study Centre.

I have stated on many occasions, that Science has no boundaries and Ireland has a good tradition in the world of science. It is particularly apt therefore that Belderrig, despite its peripheral location has persisted, through the strong commitment of its people, in building on the potential for an innovative pilot project for rural development, using research as a stepping stone.

Science is an attempt to understand the World around us, based on a set of rational principles. Its great strength is the ability of Science to make predictions and test those predictions in the laboratory. Science is driven by curiosity, the desire to know how things work, how the universe was formed and how species have evolved.

Science and Technology impacts on our every day lives. It is in our education system at all levels and is of major significance in modern medicine. It impacts on our environment, whether it's clean technologies, to make our manufacturing industries more environmentally friendly, or the preservation of our lakes rivers and coasts. It is in our agriculture - the prevention of disease, the improvement of crops, the quality and safety of our wonderful food. The proposed Centre here in Belderrig, fits suitably into this overall infrastructure and environment.

This £550,000 Project, which is a Partnership headed by Mayo VEC, also includes Mayo County Council, the Ceide Fields Research Centre and the Belderrig Community and Research Foundation. The decision of our Government to invest in this Project, is a perfect example of its commitment to invest in the rural regions.

I am personally very pleased that the Government acceded to my request that this investment be made. It is a natural addition to the State funds which we already allocated to the Ceide Fields Visitor Centre. Indeed I should point out that, as Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, I was responsible for the allocation of State funds for the Céide Fields project. It is only fitting, therefore, that I am now returning once again to this beautiful area in North Mayo, to confirm further Government funding, here in Belderrig. The research carried out here, will be complementary to the Céide Fields Visitor Centre and will play an important role in ensuring the long term viability of that Project, through the creation of new research results, necessary for the continued update of the Céide Fields story. As Minister with responsibility for Science and Technology, I have just received the results of the Technology Foresight exercise, which was carried out at my request, by the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. Technology Foresight addresses the need to sustain the achievement of Ireland's recent economic growth, over the longer term.

The overall result of the Technology Foresight exercise, spells out a vision of Ireland, well into the next Century as a knowledge based Society and an advanced Technology Economy.

One could ask what specific relevance this has to the Project here in Belderrig and I am only too happy to spell out the similarities. In demonstrating the link with Technology Foresight, two aspects are relevant, namely Partnership and World Class Research.

The Technology Foresight exercise is a prime example of a Partnership approach, between key industrialists, academics, senior civil servants and other interested parties, in an attempt to develop consensus on the actions required to foster technological development. Equally so, the Belderrig Project is a perfect example of Partnership at rural level, in furthering the economic development of this area, through scientific research.

The Technology Foresight Report also highlights the need for Ireland to establish world-class expertise in certain niche areas, such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Biotechnology.

It is interesting to note that the primary objectives of this Research Centre, are to create and disseminate world class knowledge from Belderrig and to provide a catalyst for sustainable local development. I will be only too happy to see Belderrig achieve its ambition to become a geological, archaeological, astronomical and biomedical research centre ofiInternational significance.

I am particularly proud to be associated with this addition to the strong research and technological focus, which exists here in the West of Ireland. The Céide Fields/Belderrig Projects are perfect examples of the scientific base, which exists here in the West. There is a strong research and technological focus in our third level colleges, the National University of Ireland in Galway and the Galway-Mayo and Sligo Institutes of Technology.

The high-tech content of our outstanding industrial infrastructure demonstrates that, regardless of location, a regional community can be a glowing example of a Research/High-Tech Community, if the necessary resources are in place. It is historic therefore that the road to the establishment and setting up of such resources begins to-day in Belderrig.

To-day is the start of a process, which is a testimony to the commitment and energy of the Belderrig Community. I must pay particular tribute to the vision and drive of my long time friends, Dr. Seamus Caulfield and Professor Martin Downes, who have left no stone unturned in their efforts to build this Centre. They have spear-headed this Project, ably assisted by the Partnership Committee led by the outstanding CEO of the VEC, Mr. Joe Langan.

These particular people and you the local community here in Belderrig, who have provided outstanding support and enthusiasm for this Project, are entitled to feel proud of your efforts, as we are here at this historic Ceremony to-day.

This is a great day for Belderrig and I hope to participate in an even greater celebration in November, when I hopefully will return from my efforts in the European Parliament, to officially open this building.

Congratulations to one and all.