Minister has intervened in dispute between Philip Nolan and Science Foundation Ireland, court told

Senior counsel for Prof. Nolan said it was 'striking' that there was a 'blanket refusal' from the SFI to his client’s repeated offers to engage in mediation

Professor Philip Nolan is asking Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy to extend orders he made in recent weeks preventing his dismissal from his director general role. File Picture: PA

The Minister for Research, Innovation and Science intervened in a dispute between Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and Professor Philip Nolan to suggest they could mediate outstanding issues, the High Court has heard.

Senior counsel for Prof. Nolan, who is seeking an extension of orders preventing his dismissal, said it was “striking” that there was a “blanket refusal” from the State-funded research agency in response to his client’s repeated offers to engage in mediation.