'Delighted to be leading the negotiations' - New appointment for MEP Maria Walsh 

MEP Maria Walsh has been appointed lead negotiator for the European People’s Party (EPP) on Horizon Europe, the largest funding programme in the European Union for research and innovation.

Maria Walsh will act as the EPP rapporteur on the Agriculture Committee’s opinion on the future direction and funding of the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme Horizon Europe for the 2028–2034 period.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key programme for research and innovation and is a major source of funding for Irish universities, research centres, agri-innovation projects and rural development.

The proposed funding envelope for the next programme period is almost double that of the current cycle, increasing to €175 billion for the period 2028-2034.

Maria Walsh MEP, a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, said:

“Horizon Europe is hugely important for Ireland, and I’m delighted to be leading the negotiations on the Agriculture Committee for the EPP – the Parliament’s largest political group. As EPP negotiator, my priority is to make sure that Irish agriculture and our bioeconomy receive increased and substantive funding for the coming years.

“Influencing the future of the Horizon programme has never been so important – with funding set to almost double. Given this increase, investment in agricultural research must rise in a way that is fair, credible and benefits Irish farm families and agribusinesses. Food security, sustainable farming and rural economies are strategic priorities for Ireland and for Europe, which Horizon must reflect.

“Horizon Europe directly supports our universities, our research centres, our agri-food sector and our rural communities. The programme has already delivered real, practical outcomes – from farm safety and mental health projects, to climate innovation and biodiversity protection.

“Ireland has an excellent track record in winning Horizon funding, with over €1.2 billion secured in the last programme period alone. I want to see Irish researchers, farmers, SMEs and rural innovators in the strongest possible position to continue accessing this funding. A key priority of mine will also be simplification in accessing funds – in particular for small businesses and farmers.”