Tributes have been paid to Prof Patrick Cunningham who today retires from his position as the Government’s chief scientific adviser after more than five years in the role.
One of his finest accomplishments in office was to lead the successful bid to bring the EuroScience Open Forum science meeting to Dublin last July. The meeting brought 4,500 delegates to Ireland from 70 countries, with the forum attracting some of the world’s most influential scientists.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton paid tribute to Prof Cunningham’s “expertise, knowledge and commitment”, adding he and the Minister of State for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock wished him well for the future.
Prof Cunningham produced a wide selection of advisory documents for successive governments in his time in office.
It remains unclear what will happen with the adviser’s role. No decision has been announced by Mr Bruton’s department but the position is expected to be amalgamated with another post as a cost-saving measure.
