Professor Cormac Taylor:

I think it is pretty straightforward actually. I have worked with more than 20 PhD students over the years and probably half of them came from other countries. Primarily what drives people to come to Ireland in my experience is the quality of the research and the research leader whose group they are joining. That requires funding. The reality is that funding in Ireland is languishing somewhere at the bottom of the table in Europe at the moment - at 22nd or something. Without being too dull in the answer, funding the agency at least at and perhaps in excess of the European average would be great. That would allow us to flourish within a truly interconnected research community where communication is valued and promoted. That means getting people together which is something we are good at in Ireland.

People like living here. They like the social aspects and the friendly competitiveness of the lab environment here. It is a great environment. It is not difficult. People love it once they can get here provided, of course, they can rent a house, feed themselves and do all the other basic stuff. That is probably the biggest impediment. It would be wonderful to have a well-funded system that appreciates, respects and treats the younger investigators well, allowing them to flourish within the system.

At least on a local and university level, we celebrate diversity but that is something we can always improve on. It has been put on the agenda and we need to develop it. A very inclusive, transparent funding agency that celebrates diversity, treats younger people well by giving them sufficient resources to live relatively comfortably, and an environment where communication and interaction is celebrated and promoted, that was my dream.