Date: 2013-11-20
Madam President, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of those who have participated in the debate. I would like a little latitude to deal with a number of issues that are particularly pertinent at this point. First of all, a question was asked in relation to the guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities active in the occupied territories. I just want to confirm that the negotiations for the association of Israel to Horizon 2020 will ensure the application of these guidelines. In relation to an issue that has been raised by many colleagues stem cell research I would like to remind people of what the situation is in Framework Programme 7. The approach has been to ensure a triple-lock system: first and foremost national legislation is respected, EU projects must follow the laws of the country in which research is carried out; secondly, in addition all projects must be scientifically validated by peer review and must undergo rigorous ethical review; and thirdly, EU funds may not be used for the derivation of new stem cell lines or for research that destroys embryos, including for the procurement of stem cells. We are proposing, in the proposal for Horizon 2020, to do exactly the same as we did for Framework Programme 7. The Commission tabled a statement upon adoption of the legislative package whereby it committed not to fund any research which would lead to the destruction of human embryos. Mr Turmes raised an issue, as did a number of other people, in relation to energy. On the first question, namely photovoltaic versus ether, we believe very strongly that we need to invest, not only in the short term, but also for the long-term solutions and we feel that what we have proposed is a balanced approach. On the Intelligent Energy Programme: as mentioned in the Commission declaration, the activities of the Intelligent Energy Programme are continued under Horizon 2020 and implemented by a dedicated management structure which includes further market uptake activities. On gender: I think it is significant, as somebody has already said, that the two Commissioners dealing with this whole area are two women Commissioners and I am very proud of that fact. As regards Horizon 2020, it will be the very first programme to have a legal obligation to include gender aspects in R&D. Advisory groups set up in recent weeks are 50% female and there is a target of 40% female participation in evaluation panels. We decided that we should start at the beginning with the advisory groups and go all the way through the full range of research to ensure that the gender aspects are taken into account from the very beginning right through to the very end. I would like to thank everyone who made comments on Horizon 2020 and once again to express my sincere thanks, not just to the rapporteurs but also to the shadow rapporteurs and the parliamentary committees who were all involved in this. We are now at the end of a process which started nearly two years ago when we published the Commission's proposal. But of course the work began some time before that with a very extensive consultation of all the relevant stakeholders to ensure a research and innovation programme which was tailored to their needs. Throughout this process Parliament and the Commission have always kept in mind the people and the organisations that stand to benefit. Some of those were mentioned earlier researchers, businesses, industries, SMEs, regions and Member States but, most of all, as I said earlier, Horizon 2020 is good for the people of Europe. I think it is going to provide a much needed stimulus to job creation and competitiveness, and help our very best minds to find solutions for the issues that are important to people and that they really care about: health and old age, the food on our tables, sustainable energy and transport to keep Europe moving and working, a secure Europe today and a safe and liveable environment tomorrow. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghlacadh leis na Feisirí ar fad a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht. Tá an-áthas orm faoi sin agus tá an-bhuíochas agam dóibh siúd ar fad a d'oibrigh linn leis an gclár iontach seo a chur le chéile.