Government Chief Scientific Adviser (Ireland) Explained

The Irish Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) is an adviser on science and technology to the Government of Ireland. The role was created in 2004 and was to operate independently of government departments, but report to Cabinet Committee on Science and Technology.

History

In 2004, Barry McSweeney was appointed as the first CSA.[1] Following a controversy about the awarding of his PhD, McSweeney resigned in November 2005.[2]

In January 2007, Patrick Cunningham was announced as the new CSA.[3] He served a five-year term and hosted the 2012 EuroScience Open Forum meeting in Dublin.[4]

In 2012, following the retirement of Cunningham, the separate office of CSA was abolished, and the role was given to Mark Ferguson, then director general of Science Foundation Ireland.[5] Ferguson was reappointed in 2017 for a further five years.[6] During this period, academics, politicians and others highlighted the limitations of having a non-independent science advisor.[7] [8] [9] [10]

Following the announcement of Philip Nolan's upcoming appointment as director general of Science Foundation Ireland, Simon Harris announced that the CSA was to be reinstated as an independent role.[11] [12]

List of Government Chief Scientific Advisers

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Science adviser begins work this morning . 2004-09-01 . www.irishtimes.com . Irish Times . 2021-12-26.
  2. Web site: Govt adviser accepts new position . 2005-11-15 . www.rte.ie . RTÉ . 2021-12-26.
  3. Web site: Finding a way past complex problems . Ahlstrom . Dick . 2007-07-19 . www.irishtimes.com . Irish Times . 2021-12-26.
  4. Web site: Euroscience Open Forum . July 2012 . www.theccd.ie . Convention Centre Dublin . 2021-12-26.
  5. Web site: Government abolishes standalone Office of Chief Scientific Adviser . McMahon . Áine . 2012-10-27 . www.irishtimes.com . Irish Times . 2021-12-26.
  6. Web site: Professor Mark Ferguson reappointed as Director General of Science Foundation Ireland . www.sfi.ie . Science Foundation Ireland . 2017-02-08 . 2021-12-26.
  7. Web site: Trinity College Research Committee . 2019-01-22 . www.tcd.ie . Trinity College Dublin . 2021-12-26.
  8. Web site: Review of Ireland‘s Membership of International Research Organisations . July 2015 . enterprise.gov.ie . Department of Enterprise . 2021-12-26.
  9. Web site: Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy . 2017-06-29 . www.oireachtas.ie . Oreachtas . 2021-12-26.
  10. Web site: Chief Scientific Advisor needs to be independent . 2021-09-29 . www.ria.ie . Royal Irish Academy . 2021-12-26.
  11. Web site: Chief scientific adviser to be reinstated as standalone role . O'Brien . Karl . 2021-11-10 . www.irishtimes.ie . Irish Times . 2021-12-26.
  12. Web site: Chief Scientific Adviser's dual role should be separated 'to protect independence' . Delaney . Maria . 2021-10-01 . www.thejournal.ie . The Journal . 2021-12-26.

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