Sir, – It is understandable that a postdoctoral researcher might take the personal view expressed by Robert O’Connor advocating for young scientists (Letters, July 16th). However, his suggestion that investment in new equipment to keep Ireland at the frontier of research will not be effectively used is certainly not, at least in the case of Tyndall National Institute, accurate.
Thanks to the continuing commitment of Government to research, the existing Science Foundation Ireland research programmes, which already support more than 2,000 young researchers, will continue to have significant scope for the hiring and career development of dynamic young researchers into the future. Fortunately because of the infrastructure call they will be equipped to be globally competitive. We are going through difficult economic times, and spending priorities have to be carefully managed. – Yours, etc,