An American chemist, Dr William Harris, has been appointed director-general of Science Foundation Ireland.
The national foundation for excellence in scientific research, set up a year ago, is responsible for managing the Technology Foresight Fund of £560 mil lion which will support research into information technology and biotechnology in Ireland.
Dr Harris is vice-president for research at the University of South Carolina. From 1996 to 2000 he was founding president of Columbia University's Biosphere 2 Centre in Arizona. The controversial biosphere, with its controlled laboratory environment, and possible applications for life in space, is one of the world's best-known scientific experiments.
Before 1996 Dr Harris was director for mathematical and physical sciences at the National Science Foundation in the US.
In Dublin yesterday for the announcement of his appointment, Dr Harris said: "I believe Science Foundation Ireland has the potential not only to contribute to the future economic growth of the country but also to elevate the quality of the universities and the quality of education students will receive."
It all came down to partnerships, between industry, Government and universities, he said.
"Manufacturing and the economy are very strong here, but the situation cannot continue without doing basic research and adding value. Research and first-rate universities prepare people for the knowledge-based economy. You must have well educated people who can do a variety of things as you can't predict what may happen tomorrow."
Some Irish laboratories were not state-of-the-art. "I think the resources that SFI will put into the system will transform that," Dr Harris said.
SFI would make some mistakes and bad investments, but if investment was made in the right people, the rewards would be huge. "You can't be afraid to take risks," he said.
The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said the appointment of Dr Harris was significant for both the advancement of science and national development in Ireland. The foundation had, in recent weeks, made awards of more than £5 million to 12 eminent principal researchers and their teams. The awards of up to £5 million each will bring to Ireland a number of leading scientists.
The Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, said Dr Harris "faced an exciting challenge in raising the research base in Ireland to new heights of internationally recognised excellence". Dr Harris will take up his post in September.