Ireland
Irish Research & Development Presidency Service - 1 January - 30 June 2004
Tánaiste's farewell speech for CORDIS Irish Presidency website
A successful Irish Presidency was delivered during a six-month period of great change at European level. Over the six months the European Union opened its doors to ten new member states and the European Council agreed a new constitutional Treaty for Europe. Against this backdrop the Irish Presidency research agenda progressed initiatives to further advance the creation of a European Research Area (ERA).
In relation to Basic Research and following the success of the Dublin Symposium on Basic Research (16-17 February), where a broad consensus was reached on the need for an initiative at European level, the Competitiveness Council of 11 March made significant progress in bringing a clearer political focus to the debate. The debate at Council centred on Presidency Draft Council Conclusions, and following detailed discussion these were unanimously adopted. The Conclusions acknowledge the necessity to further examine the need for a European initiative that would enhance the levels of creativity and excellence in basic research in Europe and that this examination should be pursued within the context of the debate on the structure and content of the next (Seventh) Framework Programme.
With regard to Mobility of Researchers, the Commission published on 16 March 2004 a Draft Council Directive and Council Recommendations concerning the Admission of Third Country Researchers. The proposals aim to facilitate the entry and residency of third-country researchers by introducing a fast admissions procedure. This item featured on the agenda of the Competitiveness Council on 17/18 May, where the Council strongly endorsed the objectives of the proposals, which will contribute significantly to the creation of the European Research Area and to European competitiveness in general. The Council's strong support for the proposal was communicated to the Justice & Home Affairs Council which has primary responsibility for its progression.
Also at the Council on the 18 May, Commissioner Busquin gave an oral presentation on the priorities for the future of EU research policies. The Presentation contained ideas on what could be contained in the next EU research framework programme which will run from 2006. It set out priorities for the future of EU research policies and a Commission Communication on these priorities has since been launched.
Regarding initiatives to achieve the R&D investment target of 3% of GDP by 2010, the Irish Presidency actively supported the Commission on the roll- out of the Open Method of Co-ordination (OMC) whereby Member States will improve the co-ordination both in the planning and implementation of their research policies in the common interest of all. During the Irish Presidency significant progress was made through the collection of baseline data to facilitate the effective start up of the initial cycle of Co-ordination. This OMC-context data facilitated the Commissioner in his March 2004 'Snapshot' publication, which provided a current overview of the research situation. At this point it is envisaged that the first annual cycle of policy co-ordination in European research will be completed by the end of 2004.
Other dossiers where real progress was achieved during the Irish Presidency include European Space Policy, the conclusion of the EU/ESA Agreement the agreement and signature of a research agreement with Switzerland and the agreement by the Competitiveness Council of a top-up of €2 billion for 6th Framework Programme funding to reflect the enlargement of the EU.
The Presidency offered active support throughout its term to the Commission in its efforts to secure the ITER project for Caderache as mandated by the Competitiveness Council during the preceding Italian Presidency.
To conclude I would like to take this opportunity to wish the incoming Dutch Presidency every success. We look forward to working closely with them as they seek to build on the progress made to advance the research agenda, thereby increasing European Competitiveness and growth, and bringing Europe closer to the Lisbon and Barcelona objectives.
Ms. Mary Harney T.D
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment