Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On my behalf and that of my fellow Senators I welcome EU Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. Our distinguished guest today is no stranger to Leinster House, having served as a Deputy for Galway West from 1975 until 1997. She was the first woman Cabinet Minister since the foundation of the State and served in a number of ministries during her Dáil career, including as Minister for Justice when she introduced substantial law reform and legislation. She was also a member of the Irish Government team which negotiated the joint declaration of December 1993 by the British and Irish Governments on peace and reconciliation in Ireland.

On top of this impressive political career, at various times she has worked as a part-time business consultant, non-executive director of a number of companies, teacher, newspaper columnist and television presenter. She is also a former member of the governing authority of the National University of Ireland Galway and an author. In 1999, she was appointed to the European Court of Auditors and was retained for a second term in 2006. She is before us today as Ireland's EU Commissioner with responsibility for research, innovation and science, a position she has held since February 2010. If I am not mistaken this marked another first for Ms Geoghegan-Quinn as she was Ireland's first woman EU Commissioner. The Commissioner with responsibility for research, innovation and science is a key portfolio for the European Union. Apple founder Steve Jobs once said that innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

If we in Ireland and in the EU want to be leaders in the world of business, enterprise, science, education, communications, agrifood or health, we must innovate as well as follow. If we want the EU and Ireland to emerge from our current economic difficulties and address the challenges facing us, we will have to innovate, invest in research and development and promote high-tech enterprise across a wide variety of areas - from ICT to energy to food – to create sustainable jobs. As EU Commissioner, Ms Geoghegan-Quinn plays an important role in helping to stimulate economic growth across Europe in the drive to create jobs and stimulate research, development and innovation.

This newly elected Seanad is determined to modernise its procedures and actively engage with the civic society. To begin this process we have amended Standing Orders to allow persons and representatives of public and civic life to address Seanad Éireann. I thank Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn for agreeing to appear and I welcome her to the House. I look forward to her presentation and a positive and enlightening discussion.