FAS Nasa programme a great achievement
John Walshe recalls his sojourn in Cocoa Beach in Florida in 2004, where he was a guest of FAS (and where the Health Minister got the fated hairdo).
It wasn’t your ideal holiday destination, the education editor at the Irish Independent recalls. Its main attraction is its convenience to many of Florida's facilities - including the Kennedy Space Centre, where FAS has established useful contacts through its space programme.
John Walshe was impressed by the FAS programme, which enables Irish graduates to spend time at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre.
The young Irish participants “struck me as fine ambassadors who were gaining very useful experience, either working in hi-tech companies related to the space industry or studying in some of the world's best third-level institutions”, he writes.
“Former Director General Rody Molloy, whom I would regard as a decent, honourable individual, has argued that these contacts will be of great benefit to Ireland Inc in the medium to long term,” Walshe continues.
“The initiative was an achievement for FAS and in particular for its main driving force John Cahill, who was encouraged by Rody Molloy in the face of some doubts about the wisdom of the programme.
”Getting a foothold in NASA was no easy task, especially in the post 9/11 security conscious space industry, but Ireland did so - at considerable expense.
“Most of the money is used on the apprentices, students and graduates on the programme, but a sizeable chunk went on trips by executives and others. Most stayed in the Cocoa Beach area.
“The furore over the bill for these trips has cost Rody Molloy his job. He took the decision to go, without pressure from the Government, because he felt the row would drag on and affect the capacity of FAS to respond adequately to the challenge of upskilling those out of work, and those at risk of losing their jobs. It was a high price to pay.” (Source: Irish Independent)
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
nobody can justify the disgraceful waste of public money while communities waited for new schools as schools in rapidly expanding commuter belt areas became chronically overcrowed. Now these towns and parts of our cities have no hope of new schools so a whole generation of people are let down.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Am I right in thinking that this money was spent at a time when money was spilling out of the backpacks of the Celtic tiger? That visiting posh destinations was perceived as an investment rather than - or maybe as well as - a luxury? That those concerned would hardly be impressed by luxury? That they could have seen themselves in the role of ambassadors? Incidentally, what facilities do Irish ambassadors have when they travel? I read that Roddy Molloy worked for Foreign Affairs in Switzerland. It’s all very different now and begrudgery is plastered all over politics and the media. And don’t we all feel it sometimes? Though Cocoa Beach would be hellish for me. I’m just asking.