Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2013

Research and Innovation Priorities

Introduction

• Experience: Ireland’s 7th Presidency on our 40th Anniversary of acceding to the EU.

• Over 200 meetings in Ireland in a 6 month period.

• Presidency Website, Calendar, Priorities, and Trio Programme.

Core Themes of PresidencyGetting the European Economy back on track

• Promoting Economic Growth• Creating Jobs• Improving the EU’s Competitiveness• Restoring Stability• Reaching an Agreement on the MFF• External Trade Agenda, an important source of Growth

and Jobs

Jobs and Growth

• The Compact for Growth and Jobs is a key driver for our Presidency

• Europe Strategy 2020

• Prioritising Youth Unemployment

MFF

• Agreement on a fair deal that is fit for purpose is essential.

• Adequate funding for food security through CAP is of particular concern, although we recognise the importance of Cohesion funding in promoting jobs and growth.

Restoring Stability

• Generating growth and job creation are key priorities.

• Promoting the adoption of the Single Supervisory Mechanism on banking.

• Maintaining the integrity of the Single Market.

• Ensuring that there are appropriate arrangements in place to ensure proper democratic oversight and accountability.

Single Market

• As a small export-driven economy, Ireland has reaped the benefits of the European Single Market and we are among those pushing most strongly for accelerated progress on the Single Market.

• Ireland welcomes the adoption of the second Single Market Act.

• Ireland will promote the digital economy by making progress on issues spanning a number of Council configurations, including Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Security, Identification, Data Protection, and High-Speed Broadband rollout.

Enlargement

• We expect to see Croatia fully ready to join the EU on 1 July 2013.

• We hope to open almost all remaining Chapters with Iceland.

• Ireland is supportive of the Turkish candidacy. We would hope to move the process forward, if possible, opening a negotiation Chapter during our Presidency.

• The Irish Presidency will work closely with the Commission in developing the aspirations of the Balkan states wishing to attain EU membership.

Research and Innovation objectives

• Accelerate the realisation of economic and societal value and impact from European knowledge

• Increase the global competitiveness of Europe’s industry

• Enhance Europe’s human capital in R&D

Research and Innovation objectives

• Improve the innovation capacity of Europe’s SMEs

• Maximise synergies with national level strategies and investment

Research and Innovation Actions

• Achieving agreement on the Horzon 2020 package

• Supporting adoption, deployment and commercialisation of Key Enabling Technologies

• Progressing completion of the European Research Area

Research and Innovation Actions• Supporting development of innovation

capacity of SMEs• Strengthening research and innovation

capacity of European regions• Enhancing engagement between

science and society on responsible research and innovation

Council meetings

• Formal Council meeting I in Brussels 18-19 February (done)• Informal Council meeting in Dublin 2-3 may“How to optimise the benefits of European research

investment for European jobs, growth and society

• Formal Council meeting II in Brussels 29-30 May

Main R&I events

• Joint programming 28/2 – 1/3 (industry)• EIT 29-30/4• Marie Curie 14-15/5• SME 10-12/6• WIRE 5-7/6• EuroNanoForum 18-20/6• ITS 4-7/6

Conclusion

• The Presidency is always a challenge, in particular for smaller administrations like Ireland’s, however as with our six previous Presidencies, we are committed to running an effective and well-managed Presidency in 2013.

• We look forward to working closely and constructively with the European Parliament, the institutions, and of course, our key partners, during our Presidency to deliver results for citizens throughout the European Union.

• Go raibh míle maith agaibh.