Academy President Sean Finlay, accompanied by Tom Leahy Academy Special Advisor/Director & Past President met Aoife McLysaght to introduce the Academy.
Aoife McLysaght is Professor of Genetics at TCD and was appointed as Chief Scientific Advisor(CSA) to the Irish Government following a public procurement process in January 2025.
She is attached to the Dept of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science (DFERIS) and the meeting took place in her office.
Tom Leahy FIAE, Aoife McLysaght CSA, Sean Finlay FIAE
Aoife explained that she splits her time with a 60% CSA/40% TCD time allocation.
Her primary focus is the ensure that Research is a key to Policy across Government and is also keen to expand all-island focus
Sean Finlay and Tom Leahy briefed Aoife on the Irish Academy of Engineering and IAE briefing topics included:
- IAE is all- island body created in 1997 (www.iae.ie) – all publications and information are available on our website
- IAE is a member of Euro-CASE (www.euro-case.org ) – SAPEA project provides scientific advice to the European Commission.
- 2026 Euro-CASE conference planned for 18-20th November 2026 in Belfast – Joint IAE/RAE event supporting N/S cooperation.
- IAE is also a member of the International Academy CAETS (www.newcaets.org)
- 2021 MoU signed between the UK Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) and IAE.
- The forthcoming RAE-IAE People and Places Study in Q3 2025 ( co-funded with InterTrade Ireland( ITI support)) will be of all island relevance – for the very first time will document the contribution of Engineering to the ROI Economy and may attract a Ministerial launch
- Geothermal demonstration projects also have all-island relevance.
- Introduced the RAE Innovation hub in Belfast and IAE meetings with ROI innovation hubs in Dogpatch (Dublin), Portershed (Galway) and Republic of Work(Cork) – introductions/visits can be made if required
- IAE met NI CSA Professor Helen McCarthy with whom Aoife regularly consults with.
- IAE role noted in promoting public understanding of science & Engineering via support for the Science Media Centre(SMC)
The Academy wished Aoife well in her role and is available to assist her in that role.