Leaders from engineering, research and development, and academe dominate the board of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the Government body set up to oversee investment in cutting-edge research in biotechnology and information and communications technology (ICT).

It is due to invest €646 million in the six years to 2006.

Announcing the board, which will be chaired by former NUI Galway president Dr Patrick Fottrell, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said the appointees would help SFI build a globally recognised research culture.

SFI director general Dr William Harris, said the board, replacing an outgoing interim predecessor, would focus on the accountability and performance of its investments.

The board will be deputy chaired by Mr Frank McCabe, former vice-president of Intel Corporation.

Other members are: Mr Ned Costello, assistant secretary at the science, technology and intellectual property division of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Dr Jane Grimson, vice-provost of Trinity College, Dublin; Dr Anita Jones, professor of engineering and applied science, University of Virginia; Dr Kristina Johnson, dean of the School of Engineering, Duke University, North Carolina; Dr Martina Newell-McGloughlin, director of the biotechnology research and education programme, University of California; Dr Jim Mountjoy, chair of the Prospectus Consultancy Group; Dr Don Thornhill, chair of the Higher Education Authority; and Mr John Travers, chair of the Tourism Policy Review Group.

As director general, Dr Harris will sit as an ex-officio member of the board.

Dr Fottrell said: "SFI represents an important departure in the history of research in this country.

"Now that the foundation has been established on a statutory basis, my colleagues and I on the new board of SFI will build on the efforts of the outgoing board to ensure that a world-class research system is developed and sustained."