The Taoiseach has strongly defended the Government's decision to move its chief science adviser to a new role in the Department of Communications in the wake of controversy over his doctorate from an unrecognised US college.
Barry McSweeney stepped down from his post as chief science adviser on Tuesday after weeks of controversy surrounding the source of his doctoral degree.
In the Dáil yesterday Mr Ahern defended Dr McSweeney against Green Party claims that he had been "found out" as having no doctorate and being therefore unqualified for the job of chief science adviser.
"The controversy which has developed about one issue does not detract from the credibility of a senior public official," he said. "If the name of the game is just to dump people on the street because of a bit of controversy, it will be a bad day for this country and one I do not like."
Mr Ahern said that in his new role Dr McSweeney "would oversee the drive towards, and establishment of, a proposed new energy research council".
The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources had identified the need for a person who would "set the agenda of the council in accordance with the department's analysis of the issue and provide analysis and opinion on all major policies in the energy research area".
Both the Tánaiste and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment have also defended the Government's decision to move Dr McSweeney to a new role.
Mary Harney yesterday referred to his degree as "very questionable" and Mr Martin acknowledged that the awarding body, Pacific Western University, was "not an accredited university".
But the Ministers staunchly defended Dr McSweeney, and were at pains yesterday to emphasise his track record and the contribution he had already made to public service in Europe and Ireland.
The Tánaiste said "there was never a requirement" to have a doctorate for the job as chief science adviser.
"That was never the issue. Mr McSweeney had had enormous experience in managing over 2,000 people and a budget of €5 or €6 billion at EU level and we felt he would be enormously beneficial not just in terms of advising the Government on science policy but also accessing additional EU funding for research in Ireland because we hadn't done as well as many other countries," she said.
"However, the issue that arises is the fact that somebody would use the title 'doctor' when there are question marks over the institution that awarded that degree. It would be like somebody using an honorary doctorate. I actually have one myself. I wouldn't dream of using it. It wouldn't be appropriate. Sometimes people do, unfortunately, and I think that brought the office into disrepute quite honestly and I think the right decision has now been made," she said.
Asked why the job had not originally been advertised Ms Harney said not every job was advertised. Sometimes people were headhunted for posts. "He is a man of outstanding ability. He has huge managerial experience. He has an MSc from Trinity College but the issue was not particular academic qualifications but rather the use of a doctorate that is very questionable, quite honestly."