Minister Harris announces intention to change science advisory structures

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has today announced plans to change how Government gets science advice to inform policy.

Minister Harris informed Government of his plans to decouple the Chief Science Advisor role from the role of the Director General (DG) of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in the medium term.

The Minister will commence a public consultation on the role of science advice structures to identify the best model for Ireland.

In short, the current Chief Science Adviser role is to:

provide high level advice on scientific issues to Government across disciplines, as required
provide scientific input to the work of any relevant body or advisory group as the Minister may from time to time reasonably require
fulfil a representational/ambassadorial role in the science field, if requested by Government
carry out the primary responsibilities of the substantive post of DG of SFI, with the above responsibilities being subordinate

Speaking today, Minister Harris said:

“We are facing significant challenges as a society and like COVID-19, it will be science that will help steer us through those obstacles.

“The Government now has an opportunity to consider the role of science in our decision-making processes and how it affects our policy responses.

“The current arrangements were put in place in a particular context nearly a decade ago, and there are lessons to be learned from domestic and international experience since that time.

“Having regard to soundings taken with a number of stakeholders in a number of departments and agencies, my view is that there is merit in investigation of structures.

“The shape this will take will be informed by a public consultation, which I intend to issue early next year.”

The Minister also updated Government on the Creating our Future campaign, which has received over 5,000 submissions from the public to date. The public campaign closes at the end of November.

Minister Harris added:

“If we want to make this country a better place to live and prosper, then we need ideas that will challenge our researchers and innovators.

“We need the people of Ireland to tell them what difficulties they believe need to be addressed, what challenges need to be tackled and what ideas they have for making our society as fair and inclusive as possible.

“All submissions will be considered by expert panels and the results of their findings will be brought to Government and subsequently published early next year. The report will help inform research, innovation science technology policy across Government.

“So get involved, and use your voice and help us overcome the challenges our country and our world faces.”

Submit your Creating Our Future idea
Find more information on Science Week events