Ireland 2004
Presidency of the European Union

Tánaiste's Welcome Speech for CORDIS Irish Presidency Website

Ireland's Presidency in the first half of 2004 comes at a time of great change for the European Union, with the formal accession of ten new member states on 1 May 2004, and the anticipated conclusion of the Union's institutional reform in time for the Parliamentary elections in June 2004. These changes present challenges and opportunities for the European Union, not least in promoting growth in the European economy and providing a high quality of life for European citizens. The Irish Presidency Research agenda will be driven by these priorities in order to give new impetus to the Lisbon Agenda of making Europe "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion" by 2010.

One of the key steps to achieving the Lisbon agenda is the further development of the European Research Area. The ERA objective is to strengthen the coherence of research activities and policies conducted in Europe in order to increase the impact of European research efforts. The Irish Presidency will prioritise initiatives to advance the creation of a European research Area and in particular the EU target of 3% of GDP for Gross Expenditure on Research and Development by 2010, as agreed by the European Heads of State in Barcelona in 2002. In this context the Irish Presidency will support the further development and implementation of the open method of coordination between Member States, a key initiative to advance the creation of the ERA.

Reaching the 3% objective will require more abundant and mobile high quality researchers. The accession and acceding states, which are rich in research talent, will bring welcome added strength and diversity to the enlarged European Union. However more radical action is required to meet the estimated extra 700,000 research personnel required to meet the Barcelona target. Ireland therefore attaches importance to advancing initiatives relating to the mobility of researchers during its Presidency. It will progress, in conjunction with Justice and Home Affairs DG, the proposed Directive on entry conditions for third country researchers and the accompanying Action Plan that will move implementation forward.

In addition to the increased mobility of researchers, the funding of researchers in Europe through the Framework programmes is a priority of the Irish presidency. In this regard the 6th Framework Programme (FP6) represents one of the largest expenditures in co-ordinated activity in the EU, with a budget of over ¬16 billion over 4 years. It is an essential part of the Lisbon economic reform agenda in that it increases both European competitiveness and resources for researcher mobility and is key to the EU's ability to compete on the world stage. The Irish Presidency will support the continued progress of FP6, its Mid-term Review by the Commission and the orientation process for the 7th Framework Programme.

A key consideration for the 7th Framework Programme will be its ability to encourage excellence and competition in basic research in Europe, which is of critical importance in fostering a knowledge based economy. On the basis of a Communication to be brought forward by the Commission, the Irish Presidency will facilitate discussion on the issues of European research and the role of Europe in funding basic research.

In recent times the European Union and the European Space Agency (of which Ireland is a member) have recognised the potential of space for the achievement of a variety of practical objectives, for example in information society, transport and environmental protection. This led to the signing of the recent Joint Agreement and the publication of the EU Commission White Paper on Space. The Irish Presidency looks forward to progressing specific actions on foot of these developments.

In the current National Development Plan, ¬2.5 billion has been allocated over seven years to Research, Technological Development and Innovation. The greater part of this funding is aimed at developing research capability and excellence across the industry, education, agriculture, food, and marine and environment sectors.

The Irish Presidency truly recognises the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation to the future well being of the national and EU economy. As Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister responsible for science & technology, I look forward to the opportunities offered to the Irish Presidency to advance the research agenda, thereby increasing European Competitiveness and growth, and bringing Europe closer to reaching the 2010 targets set out at Lisbon and Barcelona.

Ms. Mary Harney T.D
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Origin: CORDIS (www.cordis.lu)