NEW COMMISSION/RESEARCH : IRELAND'S GEOGHEGAN-QUINN MAKES 'GOOD IMPRESSION'.

Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, or MGQ as she is known, gave a convincing performance, on 14 January, in front of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). The candidate research and innovation commissioner appeared confident with a clear display of her lengthy political experience. She was also very much aware of the limits of the 9 billion portfolio she is set to inherit from Janez Potocnik, the outgoing commissioner for science and research.

MEPs' reactions were generally very positive. ITRE Chair Herbert Reul (EPP, Germany) called her a "strong" woman for research. "Maire Geoghegan-Quinn made a good impression," said Reul. "With her background as member of the European Court of Auditors, she brings interesting experience with her, above all with respect to the correct use of subsidies in research." Reul was also keen to know how Geoghegan-Quinn will reduce administration and red tape, a major complaint from researchers.

In her hearing, Geoghegan-Quinn was quick to stress the need to coordinate and avoid waste. She noted the excessive duplication of research that can exist, pointing to over 70 food research projects on salmonella. Asked by Jean-Pierre Audy (EPP, France) whether it was then time to "communitise" research funding, Geoghegan-Quinn talked only of developing a European Research Area as being a "glorious opportunity" to coordinate and avoid duplication. She is also looking forward to negotiating the research budget in the next financial perspectives.

One criticism, however, was the impression that Geoghegan-Quinn spoke too much on research and too little on innovation. "We are very good in science, but not so good at turning research into a product," said Judith Merkies (S&D, Netherlands). "Innovation is a cross-cutting policy. We all have to be involved using the excellent research. In doing so, we need to remove the barriers that exist," replied Geoghegan-Quinn. She pointed to the innovation group' of commissioners that she will chair.

CAREFUL ON NUCLEAR ENERGY

The commissioner-designate treaded carefully on the issue of nuclear energy. How would she encourage university-level research in nuclear energy so as to train nuclear engineers, asked Niki Tzavela (EFD, Greece). "Nuclear energy is extremely important for me. It remains the technology of choice in many member states. We should maintain the research for those member states that want it," she said. Nuclear energy is, however, no "silver...