Address by Mr Noel Treacy TD, Minister for Science, Technology & Commerce, at the Official Opening of Teagasc Annual Walsh Fellowships Seminar

Royal Dublin Society, 16^th November 2001, 9.30 a.m.

I am very pleased to officially open this year's Walsh Fellowships Seminar. The Fellowships are named in honour of the late Dr Tom Walsh, first Director of An Foras Talúntais (now Teagasc). Dr Walsh served on the Science Committee of the Royal Dublin Society and was a recipient of the Society's prestigious Boyle Medal. It is appropriate, therefore, that both Teagasc and the RDS are jointly involved in this Seminar.

The Walsh Fellowships scheme is aimed at the professional development and training of young graduates for research in agriculture, food and related disciplines. In addition, the scheme is a very effective mechanism for integrating basic research in the universities (both in Ireland and abroad) with Teagasc's more applied programme. The Fellowships scheme is one of the largest in this country, supporting about 100 postgraduates at any one time and with an annual budget of more than £1 million.

This Seminar is just one of hundreds of events organised throughout this country as part of Science Week Ireland. On Monday last the RDS held a ‘Fun with Science' lecture/demonstration for the under-12's. The overall aim of Science Week is to create a wider public awareness of science and its part in national development. Public awareness of science also happens to be one of the aims of the RDS, a tradition going way back to its foundation in 1731. Many RDS initiatives since then have evolved into such State institutions as the National Library, Museum and Art Gallery, the Veterinary College and the Botanic Gardens.

Teagasc, in its role of applying science to agriculture and food, is also an inheritor of this RDS tradition. I hope and urge the RDS to continue to promote initiatives in science and agriculture to the benefit of this nation.

Teagasc is the largest employer of graduates in the agri-food sector in this country. Its research programme has benefited in recent years from the Government's increased commitment to science as an essential requirement of national growth. Recent developments in Teagasc include significant investments in new facilities and staff in plant, animal and food biotechnology, and an expanded programme in food safety and quality, health and welfare of animals, crop genetics, and EPA/Teagasc cooperation in nutrient management and greenhouse gasses.

Although it is acknowledged that science and technology are essential components of our economic development, it is alarming that student interest in science in schools and at third-level has declined recently.

Current Government initiatives in stimulating science and postgraduate opportunities, such as Science Foundation Ireland and indeed Science Week Ireland itself, are aimed at reversing this decline. It should be noted that many former Walsh Fellows have developed successful and rewarding scientific careers. They are making significant contributions, both in Ireland and abroad, to the development of the agri-food sector in universities, research institutes, the public service, business and finance.

This Seminar is an opportunity for young researchers to give an account of their stewardship. In our media-driven world it is vitally important that scientists learn early in their careers to communicate effectively with the wider community. I wish all the students well in their presentations. Judging from previous years, these have always been of a high standard, and indeed in many cases have been an example to some of their elders and so-called betters!

In conclusion, I would like to wish all of today's contributors well in their future careers. Their student days are drawing to a close and the ‘real world' awaits. On past performance, I am confident that they will develop successful and rewarding careers and that their scientific talents will benefit what is still the nation's No. 1 industry - agriculture and food.