Address by Mr. Noel Treacy, T.D. Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce

At the Launch of Sunday Funday, Atlantaquaria, Salthill, Sunday 11th November 2001 at 2.00 p.m.

Science Week Ireland 2001 is about the celebration and enjoyment of Science and Technology. It is an opportunity to experience the excitement of science through more than 150 different events being held throughout this country.

Some of these activities and events will be aimed at a scientific audience, others will be aimed at promoting a better understanding and appreciation of science and will demonstrate that science is accessible to all of us no matter what our age. Science, after all, is about the way that we live and work, the way that we treat illness, the way that we communicate with each other. It's about building the homes that we live in, the roads that we travel on, and to a considerable extent the future that we will all depend on.

But more importantly, science is about having fun too. That is why we have decided that Science Week should have two Sunday Funday events, today and next Sunday. These are two days where people will have an opportunity to just enjoy themselves, and to explore the wonders and mysteries of science with their families.

And what better place to launch it than here in Atlantaquaria, the National Aquarium of Ireland? Galway Atlantaquaria is a great example of real science presented in a way that makes it both fun and accessible, and incredibly interesting. The emphasis here is in displaying aquatic life in a manner that reflects their natural habitats, providing an enjoyable and educational environment in which to learn about the diverse marine ecosystem of Ireland.

Today take the opportunity to see the second biggest Fin Whale skeleton in this country, one of the largest inhabitants of the ocean, being second in size only to the Blue Whale. Watch in amazement the Ocean tank DIVE and the “Feeding Frenzy” which take place later on today.

As part of Sunday Funday, facilities throughout this country are being opened today and next Sunday, either free of charge or at significantly reduced prices. Some examples include – the National Museum and the Natural History Museum in Dublin, Killarney National Park Education Centre, Lahinch Seaworld and Leisure Centre, Dingle Oceanworld Marabeo Aquarium, and more.

Today and everyday is filled with opportunities to learn about science without the use of expensive chemistry sets and books. Being “scientific” involves being curious and asking questions. Curiosity is a wonderful thing and comes naturally to our children. They are curious about the ‘how' and ‘why' of the world that we live in. Why is the sky blue ? How do seeds grow? How do birds fly? Young children ask their parents hundreds of questions like these every day. In search of answers, we use science to both enlighten and delight.

An appreciation of science and technology is important for all of us, but it is especially so for young people. As we move into the 21^st Century, we are increasingly moving into what is called the “knowledge” age. This will be the century, unlike any other, dominated by new ways of communicating, new ways of getting business done, new ways of listening to music, new ways of dealing with all of the many issues that face us all in our daily lives. The generation starting school today will inhabit a world that my generation will find hard to recognise.

Our young people have thrived in the rapidly changing world of the last few years. It is recognised all over the world that our young people are the best educated, most adaptable, most open to challenge. That is the main reason why Ireland has been so successful at attracting foreign investment, in computers, communications, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and a whole range of other areas. Every time I talk to foreign industrialists about why they come to Ireland, the answer is the same – “your young people are your greatest asset”.

We must maintain our commitment to science and technology and increase the number of young people who are taking science and technology courses at every level of the education system. For that reason, I am particularly pleased that during Science Week Ireland this year, for the first time ever, we will have a national Primary Science Day.

It will be a day, I hope, when young people throughout the country will begin to discover that science isn't just about computers and laboratories and men in white coats carrying out difficult experiments. Science is about discovery, it is about adventure, and it is about answering questions that we all ask ourselves all the time. And as I said earlier, science is about fun too!

So I suggest that we should have fun exploring this wonderful facility, and let the learning happen naturally. Can I thank Mr Liam Twomey and his team for organising this exciting event, and declare Sunday Funday open!