The Cork-based National Microelectronics Research Centre (NMRC) is seeking to become the flagship information and communications technology (ICT) research centre recommended in a recently published Government Technology Foresight programme.
The Government is expected to announce that it intends to bring the initiative forward. The ICT and biotechnology sectors have been earmarked for £1.9 billion in funding over the next seven years.
An independent foundation will shortly be established comprising a number of leading players from the international field of research. They will be charged with allocating the initial £560 million being provided for ICT and biotechnology research.
However, the NMRC has expressed concerns that an independent ICT research centre may be established for Ireland, which would not be in co-operation with universities. Speaking at the launch of the NMRC annual report in Dublin yesterday, the president of University College Cork, and former director of the NMRC, Prof Gerry Wrixon said: "I am perplexed by the notion being put about that industry would somehow find a research institution with links to a university limiting or inhibiting. I fear there is something of a myth being perpetrated here which is distorting the important debate now taking place about Foresight funding."
The institute's director, Dr Gabriel Crean, expressed concerns that the funding may be too fragmented, which would eventually limit its overall impact.
Responding to the NMRC's proposals, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said she believed the NMRC was the only world-class research centre in Ireland, and had no doubt it would continue to play a key role in the future of research and development in Ireland. However, she added, the foundation to allocate the funding would consider a number of options.
The NMRC is one of the largest research institutes in the State, with a staff of more than 200, and £80 million worth of capital investment in its research infrastructure. The centre reported research income for 1999 of £4.4 million, 46 per cent of which was generated through industry partners.
