Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has said the termination of Professor Philip Nolan's contract with the agency was "never intended to imply any finding of wrongdoing on his part".
SFI said in a statement read out in the Court of Appeal today that there were "no findings of misconduct or poor performance" made against its former Director General.
The court was told that the legal proceedings between Mr Nolan and the foundation have been resolved.
The case was listed for mention this morning before the President of the Court of Appeal, Ms Justice Caroline Costello.
When it was called, Professor Nolan’s senior counsel, Padraic Lyons SC, said that he was "happy to tell the court that the proceedings and the appeal have been settled".
He said an appeal against the High Court’s refusal to extend a temporary injunction preventing his dismissal from SFI can be struck out, with all cost orders vacated.
Under the terms of the settlement, the text of statement was agreed, which was read out in court by SFI’s senior counsel, Mark Connaughton SC.
He said both parties were "pleased to announce that all legal proceedings between Professor Philip Nolan and Science Foundation Ireland, now Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland, have now been resolved to the satisfaction of the parties".
Mr Connaughton said the agency wishes to "acknowledge the significant contribution of Professor Nolan in the formation of Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland, and to the development of research and innovation in Ireland, in particular during his time at Science Foundation Ireland".
"We confirm that there were no findings of misconduct or poor performance made against Professor Nolan and the termination of his contract was never intended to imply any finding of wrongdoing on his part."
Mr Connaughton also said SFI "regret the unauthorised and harmful publication (from unknown sources) of incomplete internal reports".
He said the publication of the reports, had caused "significant reputational damage" both for Professor Nolan and Science Foundation Ireland, and its staff and he said that is acknowledged.
"This litigation has been damaging to the reputations of all parties and we are pleased to record agreement to its conclusion and wish Professor Nolan every success in his career."
Ms Justice Costello said by consent of the parties, she was striking out the appeal.
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Professor Nolan 'very pleased' proceedings resolved
Mr Nolan was not present in the Court of Appeal for this morning’s brief hearing, however, he said he was "very pleased" the legal proceedings had been fully resolved.
He said: "I very much welcome the statement made by Taighde Éireann / Research Ireland, and in particular the confirmation that there were no findings of misconduct or poor performance made against me, the regret expressed at the unauthorised and harmful publication (from unknown sources) of incomplete internal reports, and their acknowledgement of the significant reputational damage that resulted."
Professor Nolan, who was formerly a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team during the Covid-19 pandemic, also said he was deeply grateful to his legal advisers "for their advice, guidance and support, which ultimately led to the successful resolution of these matters".
At the end of May, the High Court had granted Professor Nolan a temporary injunction restraining his dismissal from his position as Director General of SFI.
The court heard he had been notified in an email a number of days earlier that he was being dismissed from his role.
While five staff members had made protected disclosures in December 2023 involving allegations against Prof Nolan, the High Court was told an investigation found there was no bullying or breach of corporate governance but it found he had a case to answer that there had been inappropriate behaviour falling short of bullying.
Mr Nolan had claimed the problems arose because senior management were resisting the reforms he had been appointed to deliver.
Lawyers for SFI argued that Prof Nolan was dismissed in accordance with the terms of his contract and not because of any misconduct.
In June, the High Court refused to grant a further injunction to Professor Nolan.
In its ruling, the court found that the SCI board was entitled to dismiss Prof Nolan for "no reason at all" in accordance with the terms of his contract.
