From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today met with France’s Minister for Higher Education and Research Sylvie Retailleau where they discussed deepening the strong research and innovation, and further and higher education links between both countries.
At today’s meeting at the department’s St Stephen’s Green offices, both Ministers exchanged views and shared information on further opportunities for collaboration following the signing of the Joint Action Plan of Action 2021-2025 during President Macron’s visit to Dublin two years ago.
In the Plan, both countries committed to build upon the strong existing links in research and innovation (R&I), further and higher education and training.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
"As our closest EU neighbour it is crucial we continue to build on the very solid relations we have with France. I was delighted to welcome Minister Retailleau to Dublin today, and to have the opportunity to discuss how we are going to enhance the already strong collaborative links between our R&I communities, both at a bilateral level and under the EU Framework Programmes.
"The most effective way for Irish researchers and enterprise to engage with counterparts in other countries is through the EU Framework Programmes for R&I.
"Minister Retailleau and I are both eager to build on the strong collaboration under Horizon Europe, and we spoke about the recent appointment of a French contact point who is based here, and who is already working with our Horizon Europe National Support Network.
"At a bilateral level, we also have the Ulysses initiative, which is jointly funded by the Irish and French Governments. We marked 26 years of the initiative at an event in the Irish Embassy in Paris in September.
"The Ulysses scheme has given over 700 Irish and French researchers the opportunity to develop new collaborations, and Minister Retailleau and I agreed that there are further opportunities in this initiative."
Minister Retailleau said:
"I really want to thank Minister Harris for this invitation to share our visions of excellence in research and innovation. The discussion we had today was very productive and underlines the dynamism of the Franco-Irish cooperation, recognising that France is now Ireland’s closest EU neighbour."
Ministers Harris and Retailleau later visited NovaUCD for a short tour of the facility and a meeting with a number of stakeholders.