Why is Ireland so poor at innovation?

A chara, – Fintan O’Toole’s compares Ireland unfavourably with Denmark with regard to the innovative performance of indigenous enterprises (“Ireland is poor at innovation, but a world-class producer of complacency and self-satisfaction”, Opinion & Analysis, May 28th). He states that doubling our spending on research and development is a hopeful sign, suggesting that innovation needs a strong core in basic research.

However, real innovation depends far more on qualitative factors, such as belonging, rootedness and a sense of place, than expenditures on scientific research per se.

I have spent the past decade teaching a course on green ventures in both Nordic countries, Denmark and Finland. My experience convinces me that dynamic multilingual communities are more likely to stimulate innovation than monolingual ones. Unfortunately, the nearly exclusive use of English as the language in this country has led to a restricted and shallow world-view. We tend to absorb second-hand ideas developed elsewhere without making appropriate adjustments essential for innovation.

Innovative personalities cannot be produced without an integrated community that has a unique and continuing experience of its own. The Irish language offers a concrete medium to root resources in place and help people discover and explore their complex identities. It is a valuable resource that promotes a deep sense of place, a vital component for stimulating innovative indigenous enterprises.

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Ireland’s cultural identity has a unique role to play in helping develop highly innovative indigenous enterprises.

Tradition is not a dead artefact but a living and valuable resource for innovation. It offers people an opportunity to reflect on their place in the world, harnesses a spirit of self-discovery and thereby an innovative mindset. It is a tragedy that a lack of appreciation of our distinctive resources continues to retard our innovative potential. Radically different policies are now required to stimulate the creation and sustenance of locally-anchored innovative enterprises. – Is mise,

FINBARR BRADLEY

Blackrock,

Co Dublin.