Answers to science questions ease confusion

CONFUSION has reigned since the Taoiseach's announcement last week that the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, was assuming control of the science and technology brief

There were too many questions and virtually no answers. Was Enterprise and Employment's Office of Science and Technology (OST) to move to Marlborough Street or to close down? How was Education to oversee the industrial research activities of Forbairt, which reports to Enterprise and Employment? Was the Minister of State responsible for Science, Mr Michael Smith, to be attached to Education or Enterprise?

A clearer picture has emerged since Tuesday's announcement of the role to be played by the junior minister. Mr Smith becomes junior minister in both Departments, and it now seems likely - although not certain - that the OST will remain intact and in Enterprise and Employment.

It has been a difficult five days however, for OST staff, for companies involved in research and for research academics, all of whom will be affected by these decisions. There were a lot of nervous civil servants in the OST worried about their future role. One senior person was understood to have cancelled holidays after last Thursday's Cabinet share-out because of the uncertainties.

The situation was not helped when the Government was forced to fire- fight its way out of difficulties over an attempt to give responsibility for EU affairs, part of the Foreign Affairs portfolio, to the Minister for Defence, Mr Andrews. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, reversed the decision, to the delight of the Opposition parties.

The outgoing minister of state for science, Mr Pat Rabbitte, warned of potential problems if the OST were moved to Education, based on early speculation that Mr Smith would end up in Education only. An industrial sector source put his view bluntly: "It could have been disastrous setting things back 10 years."

These concerns have melted away following decisions delivered after a Government meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Smith was confirmed as holding special responsibility for the science brief, while retaining Minister of State status in both Enterprise and Education.

An upbeat interpretation of this move was provided yesterday by a Government source. Mr Ahern had fulfilled his pre-election promise to elevate science to the Cabinet table in Mr Martin's designation as Minister for Education, Science and Technology, but also strengthened the junior minister's hand by giving him a say in two science budgets, that linked to Education, and that arising from the Forbairt-related spending in industry.

Industrial research interests are more than satisfied. "We are absolutely thrilled with the way it has worked out," stated Dr Dick Kavanagh, managing director of the Industry Research and Development Group, which represents companies involved in research.

The involvement of the two Departments would serve to strengthen the link between third-level researchers and industry.