Contribution of basic research to the Irish national innovation system

This paper reports a study to test whether the linkage mechanisms between basic research and industry that are evident in large countries were also observable in a small one. The Republic of Ireland has experienced a period of rapid industrial and economic growth and now enjoys per capita incomes on a par with the European Union average. Until recently basic research has had little policy priority. The study largely confirmed that the linkage mechanisms identified elsewhere also operated in Ireland, and identified an additional mechanism. It supported the idea that increasing national expenditure on basic and strategic research to a level more comparable with other OECD economies ought to yield economic benefits. It helped to underpin the recent decision to invest £1 2 billion (euro 2.5 billion) over seven years in basic and strategic research and in the research infrastructure. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.