The popular culture saying ‘local boy makes good’ could well be applied this week to Labour Minister of State Sean Sherlock following the successful conclusion of intense and protracted negotiations in Brussels which saw the committee he chairs secure €1 billion in research funding for Ireland.

The Cork East Minister, whose portfolio in Government is Research and Innovation, is chair of the EU Council of Research Ministers. The successful outcome of the Horizon 2020 negotiations saw Ireland secure the €1 billion in funding from the EU’s €70 billion research and innovation programme over the next six years. The agreement comes on the final week of Ireland’s presidency of the EU and was negotiated in Brussels through the final formal ‘trilogue’ or three-way negotiation between the Council, Commission and Parliament.

Horizon 2020 was one of Ireland’s priorities and a central plank of the Irish Presidency’s designated theme of jobs and growth.

Speaking following the negotiations, Minister Sherlock told The Avondhu: “I’m delighted that the Irish Presidency has achieved its objective and reached agreement on this. Research and innovation are key drivers of growth and job creation. This strategic approach will develop, diffuse and drive research across the European Union.”

The agreement now goes to the Committee of Permanent Representatives of members states for endorsement.

The Horizon 2020 programme will use a simplified funding model which means a greater number of businesses and research providers, small medium and large, can access the programme with less bureaucracy. That in turn means greater diversity in research, more opportunities for business and wider benefits to the economy at large. Specific measures for widening participation have been included to further enance a diverse range of research bodies. It’ll mean funding via the European Institute of Innovation and Technology for projects in the areas of healthy living and active ageing, raw materials, food and added value manufacturing will also be included.