Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche TD, welcomes Máire Geoghegan Quinn’s appointment as European Commissioner for Research and Innovation.

Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche TD, welcomes Máire Geoghegan Quinn’s appointment as European Commissioner for Research and Innovation.

Speaking today on the announcement that Ireland’s Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, is to be in charge of Research and Innovation, Dick Roche TD, Minister for European Affairs said:

“I warmly congratulate Máire Geoghegan Quinn on her selection by EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso to take on the Research and Innovation portfolio.

Her appointment to  this  position  is  not  only well-deserved, it is an extremely positive  development for this country and reflects Ireland’s leading  position in Europe in  supporting research, development and education; especially in the sciences and in engineering.

For Ireland the area covered in this portfolio is very important.  Already 418 Irish companies are drawing down funding, which is assisting the development of new projects, new industries and new jobs.

I look forward to working and cooperating closely with Commissioner Geoghegan Quinn in the period ahead.  She can be assured of this Government’s full support and cooperation in the development of this vital portfolio at both the EU and the national level.”

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27 November 2009

Press Office