Minister Lawless attends EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 23 Bealtaine 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless is today attending the Competitiveness Council (Research) in Brussels.
The meeting comes at a significant juncture in the EU policy and budget cycle. EU Ministers for Research and Innovation will discuss the priorities for the next EU framework programme for research and innovation, informed by the findings of the mid-term evaluation of the current programme, Horizon Europe.
The European Commission is due to publish its proposals for the next EU budget, which will start in 2028, in the coming months. Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 is likely to come at an important stage in these negotiations.
EU Ministers will also agree the next three-year work programme (the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda) to implement the EU’s longer-term research and innovation priorities, in particular the structural reforms to deliver and embed effective research and innovation systems at national level, such as reforming research assessment, supporting researcher careers and promoting gender equality.
Minister Lawless commented:
“This is the first opportunity to discuss the lessons from the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe with my EU counterparts, both for the remaining years of Horizon Europe and for the next EU framework programme for research and innovation.
“There is a lot of uncertainty about the future of the EU framework programme. I welcome the announcement this week by the European Commission President that there will be a ‘self-standing’ framework programme. However, an integrated framework programme that continues to support excellent research, transnational collaboration and innovation through a ring-fenced budget is essential to maximise the impact of research and innovation on broader policy objectives.
"The recently published interim evaluation of Horizon Europe reaffirms the value of the framework programme to the EU. But we must ensure that EU research and innovation policies and instruments are relevant and fit for purpose.
“I strongly support the new ERA Policy Agenda. This three-year work programme has a key role to play in progressing the longer-term reforms required at national and European level to maximise the impact of investment in research and innovation on broader policy priorities and underpin Europe’s attractiveness to global talent.”