THE European Commission must fund science and technological research so that a balance is achieved between basic research, with results in 10 or more years, and research with a more immediate outcome, according to the president of the European Science and Technology Assembly.
Dr Jan Borgman, speaking after a private meeting of ESTA in Dublin, said that as the Commission was about to finalise the so called "Fifth Framework" for the funding of science and technology projects, it was up to ESTA to bring together the assembly's work in the light of the Commission's decisions next spring.
ESTA would prefer to see the Commission concentrate funding on specific projects.
While many wanted funding of basic research, it was necessary to achieve some results more swiftly in order for technological innovation to increase employment and have other societal benefits.
Dr Borgman singled out issues relating to the information society. If we developed the software that made the Internet more widely available, then the effect would be enormous, he said.
We simply do not yet understand the changes that will take place or how the current generation of children will live. These issues must be before the Commission, Dr Borgman added.
ESTA includes 100 members chosen from the science and technology communities as well as from industry.
Ireland has four members, including the vice president, Prof Dervilla Donnelly, who is chairwoman of the Customs House Docks Development Authority.
The other Irish members are Dr T.D. Spearman, vice provost of Trinity College, Dublin, Mr Sean McCarthy of the ICTU and Mr Dan Tierney, chairman of the Cross Group, which manufactures chemicals.
Meanwhile, Forfas, the science and technology agency, is about to submit its proposals for finding under the Fifth Framework.
Under the existing framework Ireland was involved in 470 contracts.
Under the framework in place between 1990 to 1994 Irish researchers were involved in projects worth Pounds 80 million.
The framework programmes, which have funded science and technology projects through the EU, have been a major stimulus to Irish research.
Following yesterday's meeting, Dr Borgman said ESTA would want to encourage "new ways of thinking" within the Commission. "That might not be very easy, but we in ESTA will give as much help as we can.