Professor Philip Nolan will no longer be serving as the “chief executive designate” for Research Ireland, the new state agency, according to Minister for Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan. It has been noted that the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) underwent a challenging year, with Prof. Nolan being dismissed from his position as the CEO by the board in May. On the 1st of August, the SFI amalgamated with the Irish Research Council, having secured a new directive and an annual budget exceeding €300 million intended for research support.
In December of the previous year, five high-ranking staff members from the SFI made protected disclosures containing accusations against Prof. Nolan. He was appointed as the chief executive designate of the new agency by the Government in April 2023. Prior to this, he held positions at UCD and Maynooth University and rose to fame as part of the National Public Health Emergency Team during the Covid-19 crisis.
While an investigation into the allegations ruled out bullying or violation of corporate governance, it was determined that Prof. Nolan had engaged in inappropriate conduct, which could potentially lead to allegations of serious misconduct. In response to his dismissal, Prof. Nolan embarked on a High Court contest, fervently denying these accusations. He asserted in a sworn statement that the problems arose due to a resistance to change from senior management.
During his speech at the summit, Mr. O’Donovan emphasized the necessity for Research Ireland to be adequately equipped to tackle future obstacles facing Ireland’s economy. He acknowledged criticism from Prof Peter Thorne of Maynooth University regarding short-lived research contracts and a deficit of continuous research for the public’s benefit, significantly relating to the climate and biodiversity crises that all Irish citizens are currently facing.
O’Donovan also revealed his epilepsy diagnosis, a condition which he describes as having a significant impact on his life, after suffering a collapse in the Dáil chamber in June 2023. Even though sudden unexplained death in epilepsy is a dreadful reality, claiming 33 lives in Ireland each year, a successful treatment was determined during his hospital stay due to advancements in clinical research and pharmaceuticals for his specific type of the condition.
In relation to the appointment procedure for the position of chief executive at Research Ireland, the Minister pronounced that it will be accelerated promptly. In July, Celine Fitzgerald, holding a multitude of senior management experiences in international, state, charitable, and SME domains, was designated as the interim chief executive.
Mr. O’Donovan stated that Research Ireland is continuing in line with the legislative duties assigned by the Oireachtas and emphasised the need for further interaction with researchers, government policymakers, industries, and the broader community.
Addressing some of the most influential scientific figures in Ireland, the Minister expressed his belief that, in consideration of the input from the Department of Science, it ought to receive parity with an economic ministry; something that should be perpetuated with the upcoming general election and the preservation of its existing roles.
He reflected on the current year’s budget surplus, which was derived from the science and technology sector, and underlined the necessity to construct future contingency plans to safeguard Ireland for the coming era.
As a science alum, he consented with the logic of bonus points for higher mathematics in the Leaving Certificate, but Mr O’Donovan proposed that this should extend to additional subjects such as physics, applied mathematics, perhaps even chemistry. He suggested this to reinforce Ireland’s Stem (science, technology, engineering, and maths) and also to recognise the “massive time commitment” required for these subjects’ study.