Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The decision to appoint the chief science adviser was made by the Government as part of a package of measures in the area of science co-ordination and oversight. These measures were agreed by Government in June 2004 and included the following: the establishment of a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation; the establishment of an interdepartmental committee to support the Cabinet committee in its work; the creation of the post of chief science adviser to the Government; and the putting in place of a new Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, comprised of stakeholder interests from academia and enterprise. The chief science adviser is contracted to Forfás and reports to the chief executive of Forfás in respect of his day-to-day functions. He reports to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation in respect of his advisory functions.

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