Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason applications for the position of chief science adviser were not invited and the position was not advertised; the number of such positions filled by his Department in this way without advertisement or competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31718/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Will the Minister answer the question?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As regards the filling of the position of chief science adviser, there were particular circumstances surrounding this matter. The Government was aware of the availability of a specific individual with a particular background and experience of relevance to the position of chief science adviser. That individual was retiring from a post in the European Commission at director general level. The post in question was that of director general of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. The Joint Research Centre employs over 2,000 staff and covers a broad range of scientific and technological areas including energy research, food safety and quality, and chemicals.

The individual had previously worked for the European Commission as head of the unit responsible for the Marie Curie research fellowships. Prior to his employment in the European Commission, he had been responsible for Ireland's first national biotechnology programme, BioResearch Ireland. He had also held a number of positions in industry, as a clinical biochemist at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin and as senior research biochemist at the Wolfson Research Institute, Birmingham. As such, the individual had an extensive range of experience and a track record across a spectrum of science and technology disciplines in the public and private sector, nationally and at European level. That experience and track record matched very well with the multidisciplinary nature of the position of chief science adviser.

The prospective availability of the individual in question coincided with the finalisation of the overall package of measures on science and technology co-ordination and governance which I have just described. Following consideration of the experience and track record of the individual, and in the context of its consideration of these measures, the Government approved the creation of the position of chief science adviser. Arising from these unique circumstances, the position was not filled by way of competition and was exceptional in this regard as far as my Department is concerned.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In a previous reply to Deputy Hogan, the Minister referred to the appointment of the Director of Consumer Affairs as being of such importance that a worldwide search would have to be carried out independently by the Public Appointments Service, so critical was that job to the economy. Does the Minister regard the job of chief science adviser, one of the pillars of the approach of recognising science as a pivotal part of Ireland's economic future, in the same light? Would it not have been best to advertise to find whether a more suitable candidate was available, rather than simply selecting one individual, as exemplary as the Minister obviously believes the candidate to be?

An Irish Independent article of 31 October stated the Minister met with the chief science adviser last week to present him with a series of questions and requested that he clarify the position within seven days. Is this the case? Did the Minister meet with the chief science adviser? What questions did the Minister pose to him? What concerns has the Minister in regard to his position?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the time the Government was satisfied there was a need to give momentum to science co-ordination policy and the general science agenda.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Why was the position not advertised?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A situation arose within the Commission where an individual was readily available to fill the position of chief science adviser. He occupied a significant post in the Commission, under which a significant number of people were employed in a research facility. He had a track record with the establishment of BioResearch Ireland and is well thought of in academia and government circles.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Why was he leaving the Commission then?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It made sense at the time, with the other measures taken in science and technology policy, to create the position of chief science adviser. In a short time, many positive developments have taken place in research, such as the programme for research in third level institutions and the creation of Science Foundation Ireland.

Last week, I met the chief science adviser, not to present several questions as has been described or to set a target of seven days, but rather because I received several parliamentary questions, arising from an article in a particular newspaper, pertaining to one of his academic qualifications. I pointed out to him that this raised concerns among parliamentary colleagues and that it needed to be dealt with in a comprehensive and substantive way. I also explained to him that I was receiving follow-up correspondence from a Deputy. Regarding the specific academic qualification in question, I explained to him that I needed to have information to me available to deal with that issue. The chief science adviser undertook to do this and this matter is ongoing.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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So he is not qualified.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister's reply was a long one to a simple and straightforward question on the advertising of a post. The principal academic qualification, the PhD held by the chief science adviser, is in question. Is the Minister satisfied that the awarding university, the Pacific Western University, is acceptable for the prestigious post of chief science adviser? Has the Minister independently checked the university's record, its capacity and its recognition within the academic community in the US, or is the Minister entirely dependent on the view given by the chief science adviser?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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No, I am not dependent on his views. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the body responsible for accreditation in Ireland, was asked to assess the bona fides of this institution.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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What was the authority's view?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Its view was that it did not have accrediting powers within the US. In our discussions with the chief science adviser, his view was that the body he dealt with at that time is vastly different from the one in place now.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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What body?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is an issue of due process in this case.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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He is on the way out then.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am anxious to bear this in mind when considering the individual's position, particularly as he has a significant track record in public positions both in Ireland and the European Commission. I put the position we received from the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland on that body in the US to the chief science adviser.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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That does not sound good.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to raise a point of order.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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What is the point of order?

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I need guidance as to whether the Chair has jurisdiction over the transfer to another Department of parliamentary questions placed with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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It has been repeatedly stated that the Chair has no responsibility with regard to this issue.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, unfortunately the effect is that a member of the public, who is not a Member of this House, has more access to accurate information from the Minister through a freedom of information request than a Member of this House through a parliamentary question. I find that grossly unacceptable.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The point has been made clear on numerous occasions. I call Question No. 105.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister should rethink his position on this matter. It is grossly unfair to Members of this House. Through freedom of information requests, members of the public have more access to accurate information than Members of this House have through parliamentary questions. The parliamentary question system defies logic. It is ridiculous.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Hear, hear.