Geoghegan-Quinn given three weeks to develop jobs policy

IRELAND’S new commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn has just three weeks to come up with an outline of how best the European Union can turn research and innovation into jobs and growth.

She hit the ground running on her first day in her new job yesterday, when she briefed journalists on a role that will give her centre stage in efforts to revive Europe’s economy.

Next week, she will speak with the heads of the major innovation multinationals including Google, Nokia, Intel and Microsoft, to encourage them to spend more on research.