Ireland has broken into the top 10 countries globally for scientific research, with agricultural science being a major driver of the move.

Science Foundation Ireland this week published its 2016 annual report, which reveals impressive figures on Ireland’s ranking in world of science globally.

Ireland moved up four places in the global scientific rankings last year, from 14th place to 10th.

One of the main factors in the move was that Irish animal and dairy research is ranked as second in the world, while agricultural sciences here are ranked fourth in the world.

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) partners with Teagasc and supports an agricultural and crop science partnership between UCD and Origin Enterprises PLC.

Last year SFI invested €184m in its research programmes, a €30 million increase over 2015.

It intends to invest €72 million in four research centres over the next six years.

“This is the first time that Ireland has entered the top 10 in this ranking and I am very proud of that achievement,” said Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald TD. She added: “Ireland’s future stability and growth is more assured as a result of Science Foundation Ireland’s investments in Irish research.”

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