Mr. John Murphy:

I might just pick out a couple of items from the statement. Horizon 2020 was a particularly important achievement of the Irish Presidency. We secured agreement on a substantial package for research of approximately €79 billion over the period to 2020. There is an increase in the target for participation by SMEs which will be particularly important to Ireland. That was a critical objective that we set at the outset of the Presidency and I was delighted that we achieved it.

I should have introduced my colleagues because there might be some slight changes from the list provided to the committee. Mr. Tommy Murray is the main man on EU matters. I will refer any hard questions to him. Mr. Pat Kelly is an expert on Horizon 2020. Mr. Paul Cullen will deal with the semester process and Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, EPSCO, issues. Mr. Gerry Monks is our trade man and Mr. Patrick Rochford deals with state aid among other matters.