“The capital investment in Research and Development is crucial to building a knowledge-based economy. The allocation announced today by the government will result in researchers leaving the country,” said Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin.
“The 2012 allocation of funding allows for completion of programmes already commenced and contracts already awarded. What is not clear at first glance is that it does not match this funding in subsequent years. In effect, this will result in programmes being run next year that will see significant cuts with a significant blow to researchers generally”.
“This is short-sighted as over 50% of IDA investments to Ireland are because of our capabilities and investment in research”.
“The knowledge economy is meant to be the back bone to our recovery,” he concluded.