Treacy has previously held posts in the departments of enterprise, energy and the environment. Following a reorganization, Treacy’s ministry will bridge the newly formed Department for Education and Science and the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As a junior minister, he will report to Mary Harney, minister for enterprise, trade and employment, and Micheál Martin, minister for education and science, both of whom represent science at Cabinet.

“This reorganization is a very positive development, ” says Vincent McBrierty, a polymer physicist at Trinity College Dublin. ” I am also very pleased that the minister is at the interface between education, science and the commercial world. Treacy does not have a technical background but he is worthy and capable and goes to great pains to inform himself, ” he says.