McSweeney under pressure to resign over PhD controversy

GOVERNMENT chief scientific adviser Dr Barry McSweeney is under intense pressure to step aside this weekend as controversy surrounding a dubious PhD he received in the US continues.

With senior Cabinet figures expressing serious concern yesterday, Dr McSweeney himself declined to comment.

However, his position has been seriously undermined by former University of Limerick president and Science Council chairman Dr Ed Walsh, who said the scandal was threatening to embarrass and setback Ireland's entire scientific reputation.

"He's in a very awkward position but so is the scientific community and this not a matter that is improved by delay.

"It really needs to be addressed fairly promptly otherwise it becomes a cause of international embarrassment to everyone," he said.

Speaking exclusively to the Irish Examiner on Thursday, Dr Walsh's comments have effectively rendered Dr McSweeney's position untenable.

Asked whether he should resign, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the matter was one for Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin who has been in discussions with Dr McSweeney.

However, Mr Ahern reiterated the paramount importance to Ireland of maintaining a credible image in the wider scientific community.

"Our necessity to try to develop science in the country to the best image and increase our PhDs is hugely important," he said.

Those comments were echoed by Tánaiste Mary Harney.

"Mr McSweeney is a very competent, intelligent and highly qualified person. But what has emerged is very damaging of him unfortunately and of the scientific community in Ireland.

"I think these are very, very serious issues as far as the reputation of Ireland is concerned in this matter," she told Today FM.

Mr Martin said discussions with Dr McSweeney would conclude in a "number of days".

"We are concerned about the controversy obviously and the impact on the office and we are dealing with that at the moment.

"We are happy to take on board and give very careful consideration to comments from eminent people like Ed Walsh," he said.

Meanwhile, US academics familiar with Pacific Western University, where Dr McSweeney's PhD was obtained, also called for him to step aside.

"Ireland deserves a person in this position whose character and credentials are above reproach.

"Mr McSweeney is not that person," said Magaret Soltan a Professor of English at George Washington University.

George Gollin, professor of physics at the University of Illinois, said he did not think it was "appropriate for the position of chief science adviser to be filled by a skilled manager who lacks the direct, personal experience of doing PhD and post-PhD level research in a laboratory science".