Geoghegan Quinn secures EU Research and Innovation post
Ireland has secured the Research and Innovation portfolio in the European Commission.
Maire Geoghegan Quinn will be allocated the position by Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.
The Taoiseach has welcomed the announcement describing it as a "substantial portfolio".
Brian Cowen said the portfolio "resonates very strongly with our own smart-economy agenda".
The portfolio includes the European Union’s important Research Framework Programme, which has a budget of in excess of €50bn over seven years
The EU research agenda spans a wide range of areas, including Information and Communication, Technology and Science, but also extending to other crucial policy areas such as climate change, energy efficiency, health and food security.
Responsibilities of the Commissioners-designate:
- Joaquín ALMUNIA: Competition. Vice-President of the Commission.
- László ANDOR: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.
- Baroness Catherine ASHTON: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security and Vice-President of the Commission.
- Michel BARNIER: Internal Market and Services.
- Dacian CIOLOS: Agriculture and Rural Development.
- John DALLI: Health and Consumer Policy.
- Maria DAMANAKI: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
- Karel DE GUCHT: Trade.
- Štefan FÜLE: Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. *
- Johannes HAHN: Regional Policy.
- Connie HEDEGAARD: Climate Action.
- Maire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN: Research and Innovation.
- Rumiana JELEVA: International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. *
- Siim KALLAS: Transport. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Neelie KROES: Digital Agenda. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Janusz LEWANDOWSKI: Budget and Financial Programming.
- Cecilia MALMSTRÖM: Home Affairs.
- Günter OETTINGER: Energy.
- Andris PIEBALGS: Development.*
- Janez POTOČNIK: Environment.
- Viviane REDING: Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Olli REHN: Economic and Monetary Affairs.
- Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ: Vice-President of the Commission for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration.
- Algirdas ŠEMETA: Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud.
- Antonio TAJANI: Industry and Entrepreneurship. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Androulla VASSILIOU: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
