I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all, for coming here today, to the Irish launch of the European Union's Fifth Framework Programme of Research and Technological Development.

I would like to extend a special welcome to the Deputy Director General of the European Commission's DG12, Mr Hendrik Tent, who will present to us this morning, the overview of the fifth Framework Programme, the culmination of the work of his Directorate of the past few years. I would also like to welcome the several key members of Mr Tent's Directorate, who are giving us their time in order to share their insights into the operation of the Programme.

This conference here today is really a hands-on conference, information dissemination on the part of the speakers and, information gathering on your part. For my part, I would like to set the context - my conception of the context - of the fifth Framework Programme.

Let us view this in the context of Innovation: The traditional vision of innovation is one of a linear relationship between basic and applied research - the researcher and the user separated into their own compartments. We have moved away from this traditional linear vision of innovation to one which acknowledges a broader, more interactive process, involving all of the players and combining all aspects, be they scientific, technical, organisational, commercial or social.

Underpinning the interactive vision of innovation is the way in which we view knowledge. Recent research assumes that a new method of knowledge production is emerging in contemporary society:

• a knowledge which is produced in order to address a particular problem, with a view to being of use to someone, be it industry, the state or society as a whole;
• a process which requires a wide variety of skills in order to best find and use the knowledge;
• a partnership approach between researchers and users in defining research priorities.

The fifth Framework Programme is a manifestation of the emerging vision of this knowledge-based society.

Lundvall's "Learning Economy" describes an economy and society where learning activities are intertwined, interdependent and interactive. The State's role is to facilitate this interaction - the State in its sovereign role and as part of the EU. What can the State and the EU do to facilitate greater economic and social benefit from public and private investment in knowledge-seeking activity?

The "European Paradox" has illustrated to us that investment in Europe is not very effective because it does not create enough technological, industrial, commercial and economic spin-off. This surely is an illustration that the State and the EU and each of the players in the partnership, must review their respective roles in the process to address this paradox. Within the context of the interactive innovation system and the quest for knowledge, and the quest to face this European Paradox, the fifth Framework Programme has emerged.

The European Union's knowledge-seeking priorities have been selected on the basis of a set of common criteria reflecting the major concerns of increasing industrial competitiveness and the quality of life for European citizens. It has been conceived to help solve problems such as unemployment, health and environmental degradation and is a response to the major socio-economic challenges facing Europe. "Key actions" will be the facilitator to mobilise the wide range of scientific, technological, economic and social skills required to address a specific problem.

Clearly, the pursuers and users of knowledge must combine to make the fifth Framework Programme an active element in Europe's Innovation system.

The EU Framework Programmes have been one of the fundamental elements in the Irish National System of Innovation. I am personally very conscious of my responsibilities as both the Irish Research Minister and as a member of the EU Council of Research Ministers to ensure that additionality and added value are created through the Framework Programme.

Promotion of the Programme is an integral part of indigenous company development carried out by Enterprise Ireland. It is a value-added approach: If participation in the Framework is in line with the company's business strategy, it can add value to the company's activities and ultimately, add value to the European economy.

The Irish Government recently announced plans for an investment of £180 million in third level research. The added value of this investment will be the added contribution which Irish researchers will be able to make to the European Union's research effort. The important element in this /will be the strength of the collaborative bridge between universities and industry - the pursuers and users of knowledge. Equally important will be the collaborative bridges between large firms and New Technology Based Firms.

The State's and the EU's role in this will be one of facilitation. The Commission and the EU Member States have combined resources to set up a network of National Contact Points as part of this facilitation. You will be able to meet with the Irish National Contact Points in the parallel sessions later this morning.

Through participation in the Framework Programme, researchers will

• benefit from the formation of International networks,
• have access to leading edge technologies and knowledge,
• boost their own innovation processes,
• achieve significant synergies through collaboration,
• give Industry access to the broad knowledge base in third level sector, and
• lower the level of risk associated with R&D.

The Framework Programme is not only about creating knowledge but ensuring that new knowledge as well as existing knowledge is leveraged in pursuit of the major objectives of European R&D - Economic Growth and improving the Quality of Life. I would like to thank the joint organisers of today's event - the Innovation Relay Centre, Enterprise Ireland, Forfás and our own Office of Science and Technology at the Department of Enterprise, trade and Employment. I would also like to thank all of our colleagues from the European Commission and the Irish National and Key Action Delegates and Contact Points for being here today to facilitate in this information exchange. Most especially, I wish to thank the researchers who have come here today to find out about this Programme and in whose ability the success of the EU fifth Framework Programme to deliver a socially and economically better Europe lies.