Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., congratulates Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on the Research and Innovation Portfolio

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., congratulates Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on the Research and Innovation Portfolio

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., has offered his congratulations and best wishes to Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on the important portfolio which she will hold in the forthcoming European Commission.  

The Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, today announced that Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will have responsibility for Research and Innovation.  Minister Martin said that research and innovation are areas of crucial importance for Ireland and Europe’s economic future.  The Government’s strategy for building Ireland’s Smart Economy aims to make Ireland an innovation and commercialisation hub in Europe.  

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will have responsibility for the European Union’s research programme which provides €53Bn. in funding for research in Europe from 2007 to 2013.  A target of €600million in EU research funding to Irish researchers and enterprises has been set for the period 2007-2013.

Research and Innovation will play a central role in the new Commission’s economic work. The political guidelines for the new Commission set out the Commission President’s ideas for a ten-year strategy – EU2020 - to develop Europe's economies, particularly by boosting investment in research, development and innovation. As Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will play a key role in preparing the Commission’s proposals for future research funding from 2014 to 2020.

Minister Martin said that “By approving the Lisbon Treaty, the Irish people ensured that there will continue to be a European Commissioner from Ireland.  As the first Irish woman Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will bring to the Commission table a strong and effective voice in an area that is vital to Ireland’s future economic growth.”

Note for Editors:

The new Commission as a body will be subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament which is expected to be held in late January.  On the basis of this consent, the new Commission will be appointed by the European Council. 

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27 November 2009

Press Office