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€70 million to be invested in scientific research

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SFI Director Mark Ferguson, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, Taoiseach LEo Varadkar and Minister of State John Halligan at Dublin Castle today

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today launched four new Research Centres for Science Foundation Ireland at an event in Dublin Castle.

Speaking at the launch the Taoiseach said:

Our SFI Research Centres represent a virtuous triangle between government, industry and higher education, and show just what can be achieved through a shared vision about reaching your ambitions.  In 2003 when SFI was first established, Ireland ranked 36th in the global rankings for scientific research.  
today we are 10th .Many people are responsible for this achievement.  First, we owe a huge debt to the scientific community for their energy and ingenuity and their determination to cross new frontiers of knowledge.  This work has been nurtured by SFI, which in turn has been supported by the government.

The opening of the new four Centres today represents an investment of over €70 million new research over the next six years, with 689 highly skilled personnel involved in helping each one succeed.

The Taoiseach added;

 Our four new research centres – in four very different ways – will each try to discover and illuminate new truths .Today’s launch is a clear signal of the Government's commitment to invest in Ireland's future The four Centres are excellent examples of what can be achieved when we pool our talents and abilities in a common purpose. They show the value of investing in today, so we can imagine the world of the future.

Read the Taoiseach's full speech here.