The Government's new chief adviser will be a formidable advocate for Irish science, writes Dick Ahlstrom.
To understand the goals and ambitions of Ireland's new chief scientific adviser, one need look no further than the Government's strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. It maps out spending plans and targets and Prof Patrick Cunningham has to make sure they get delivered.
There is a huge commitment to science made within the strategy which is funded under the National Development Plan for 2007-2013, says Cunningham. "The challenge now is to guide and deliver over the seven years of the NDP."
Cunningham will be a formidable campaigner on behalf of the Irish science community. He is a scientist first and foremost, retaining his position as professor of animal genetics at Trinity College Dublin. Yet he will also be able to bring business acumen gained as chairman and co-founder of the beef identification and tracking company, Identigen, and years of experience working in institutions such as the Agricultural Institute, and abroad in the World Bank and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.
He plans to remain a working scientist during his five year tenure, which began on January 1st last. "It is a part time position and it was assumed however that I would remain involved in science. I am expected to keep myself rooted in the field of science."
Yet he has found that while it may be described as part time, the workload so far hasn't reflected this. "Even though it is a part time job it is full time, but I have no complaints about that. It is a great opportunity."
He believes that his varied background will prove useful, particularly given the Government's hopes that increased research activity will lead to spin-out companies and high quality jobs. "I have been involved in bringing science into the marketplace [through Identigen]," Cunningham points out.
The company has developed genetic fingerprint technology making it possible to trace any beef item bought in the supermarket back to its original farm and the actual animal it came from. Identigen has grown from strength to strength and several weeks ago opened a major new laboratory facility in Kansas in the US.
The position will always come back to the science however. "I have two primary responsibilities, giving independent advice to the Government when science interacts with the public and to play a key role in the monitoring, evaluation and delivery of the Government's seven year science strategy."
His position exists within a formal governance structure for science recommended by the Walsh Commission. It includes the chief adviser's role along with the Cabinet committee on science, a parallel civil servant group chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and an interdepartmental committee, says Cunningham.
"I advise the Cabinet through the interdepartmental committee." And there is also the Advisory Council on Science, Technology and Innovation. "It brings the stake holders' views to bear," he adds.
Careful governance is necessary given the €8.2 billion value of the strategy. "With expenditure of that kind you need a formal structure," he states.
Two key approaches for him will be maintaining the independence of the adviser's role and also taking a proactive approach when dealing with Government. "I think [the role] is important because it is independent. I hope to guard that independence carefully. It provides a separate channel for advice, not just from me but the networks I have both nationally and internationally."
He also wants to push the envelope when it comes to supporting the goals of the NDP and strategy.
"I don't see myself in a passive role, there is a duty to respond. I am not going to be there just to answer awkward parliamentary questions that come through. I will respond to those questions but I also have a duty to take the initiative, particularly in relation to the commitment that has been made to science through the science strategy."
The strategy has spending plans but also goals such as doubling the number of PhDs available from the third-level and building our capacity for research while maintaining inward foreign investment.
"These are all measures of success and another is the prosperity and happiness of the Irish people," he adds. Key to this he believes is our growing capacity to make a significant contribution to fundamental science. "We talk about Ireland achieving a reputation in science. This is more important than you can imagine."
It reflects on our products, the quality of our people and it builds respect for us on the world stage. "We have it within our competence to do that. We are well on track for that."
He has no qualms about providing his views on difficult questions such as stem-cell research, genetically modified foods and new medical treatments. "These aren't just science issues, they are fundamental issues of what society views as acceptable or not."
Cunningham does not believe that the controversy over his predecessor, Barry McSweeney, and his early departure from office, have had any impact on the chief adviser role. While it was an "unfortunate incident" it will not have long term reverberations.
He looks forward to helping to steer a path towards a knowledge economy via the science strategy and helping to identify research opportunities. "One of the nice things in science is it is assailable. There are no absolutes."
This means he will hear and have to assess conflicting views on issues before making recommendations to Government. "My job is to find as straight a path as I can through complex issues."
A life in science: Prof Patrick Cunningham
Got scholarship for Greek and Latin but graduated in agricultural science at University College Dublin. Completed a MSc there and then a PhD at Cornell University in New York State.
Joined the newly formed Agricultural Institute here in 1962. He also became part of the genetics department at Trinity College Dublin and got the new chair in animal genetics there in 1974.
Through the late 1980s and early 1990s he expanded TCD's research programmes in cattle genetics, looking at genetic differences as a way to improve the national breeding programme.
Some of the technology developed at that time brought about the establishment of Identigen.
He worked in the World Bank from 1987-1991. Then worked for three years at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation. He then returned to Dublin.
Dick Ahlstrom