Minister says SFI attracting “world-class” projects

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Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation Mr Conor Lenihan (pictured) has announced funding of almost €1 million to attract world-class researchers to Ireland through Science Foundation Ireland’s Walton Visitor Programme. The Minister made the announcement at the launch of SFI’s Annual Report for 2008.

Minister Lenihan said, “I am delighted that through the Science Foundation Ireland Walton Programme, Ireland is able to further enhance our reputation as a location for high quality scientific research.”

In launching the 2008 SFI Annual Report, Minister Lenihan said “By directly supporting 2,812 researchers and collaborating with over 300 companies SFI is playing a key role in the Irish economy and in the Government’s strategy to build a Smart Economy.”

Chairperson of SFI, Professor Pat Fottrell, speaking on the SFI Annual Report’s publication, remarked, “2008 was, in many respects, a defining year in SFI’s journey to date. The year was one in which the importance of science and investment in innovation was brought sharply into focus not just in Ireland, but globally too. The proposition that economic recovery is best initiated by having a sound and flourishing research base was one that gained currency over this period, and has been reflected, for example most notably, in subsequent investment by President Obama’s Administration. Also the positive endorsement of SFI’s activities by Indecon International Economic Consultants in its ‘Value for Money’ report on SFI was independent, authoritative confirmation that we are on the right track and recording meaningful and measurable progress of benefit to Ireland”.

Speaking on the SFI E.T.S. Walton Visitor Programme, director general of SFI, Prof Frank Gannon said, “Our host institutions around the country look forward to welcoming leading researchers from the UK, USA, Belgium, Germany, France, Singapore and Russia. Such a wealth of research talent coming to Ireland is of immense benefit to our own pool of researchers, and significantly raises our international standing.”

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