Analysis:A newspaper report triggered a five-week sequence of events that eventually led to the Government's chief science adviser losing his post, writes Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor
Although Dr Barry McSweeney now occupies a position within the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, he is likely to retain some level of involvement in the formation of State science policy.
On October 9th the Sunday Independent published a scathing critique of Pacific Western University (PWU), the body that had awarded Dr McSweeney's doctoral degree. The report cited US government documents and sources which dismissed the university as a degree mill unfit to make educational awards.
Other media reports followed, with evidence quickly mounting that the university was not a credible body to award degrees. This immediately raised doubts about Dr McSweeney's decision to choose it when he undertook his doctorate in 1990-92 and his subsequent willingness to cite the PhD on his CV.
The initial and subsequent media reports focused on Dr McSweeney's PhD, rather than his role as chief science adviser to Government. Most media comment highlighted the positive view taken of his time as director general of the EU's research arm, the Joint Research Centre, and with the EU's Marie Curie programme for young researchers.
There is no doubt that his association with Pacific Western damaged his credibility as chief science adviser. While many academics accepted Dr McSweeney was doing a good job in his post, they could not accept his claims that PWU in 1992 was much different from the organisation being described in the media.
The story took on a powerful political dimension when the Labour Party tabled a series of parliamentary questions asking both Tánaiste Mary Harney, who had hired Dr McSweeney, and Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin whether they were aware of the source of the science adviser's PhD.
The party also had a barrister advising on the issue. He sought fresh comment on PWU, Dr McSweeney and related media reportage from a number of academics in Ireland and the US.
Dr McSweeney's position became untenable after influential former president of the University of Limerick, Dr Edward Walsh, commented negatively on the adviser's position.
The Government was left with little choice but to move him from his post.