Barry Mc Sweeney has taken up the position of Chief Science Adviser to the Government. Barry will be based in Forfás, but will operate independently from any government department or agency. Reporting to the Cabinet Committee on Science and Technology, his chief duties will include the provision of independent expert advice on any aspect of science, technology and innovation (STI) as requested by the Government; advising on STI issues arising in the context of the EU and internationally; and overseeing a system of independent evaluation of STI policy and programmes. A biochemist, Barry has most recently been the director general of the Joint Research Centre, a 2,500 person, multi-site, European research organisation. He also has extensive industrial experience, having worked in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
