Ireland Supports European Chip Act 2.0
Minister Peter Burke
Minister Burke affirms Ireland’s support for European Semiconductor Coalition Declaration for European Chips Act 2.0
Today, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Enterprise, alongside his EU ministerial colleagues, formally endorsed the Declaration of the European Semiconductor Coalition (Semicon Declaration).
Recognising the strategic importance of semiconductors for the EU’s competitiveness and resilience, a coalition of EU Member States drafted the Semicon Declaration which sets out a common position aimed at strengthening EU semiconductor policy with a particular focus on shaping the upcoming revision of the European Chips Act (Chips Act 2.0).
The Declaration was formally handed over to the European Commission this morning on the sidelines of the Competitiveness Council, in the presence of representatives from all EU Member States and the industry.
Minister Burke said:
“This morning I am proud to stand with my European colleagues in endorsing the Declaration of the European Semiconductor Coalition. And I join with them in calling for a revitalised European Chips Act to secure Europe’s place at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry.
This is Europe’s moment to align national ambitions with a shared vision: to build a semiconductor ecosystem which secures our sovereignty, drives innovation while ensuring prosperity for generations to come.
Ireland is fully committed to this vision. Through our national semiconductor strategy, “Silicon Island”, we are expanding manufacturing, boosting R&D, developing talent, and building robust supply chains to ensure Ireland plays its part for Europe’s ambitions.
Ireland strongly supports this Declaration and thanks our Dutch colleagues for their leadership. We look forward to working with the Commission, industry and our research performing organisations to deliver a European Chips Act 2.0 which guarantees Europe’s technological future.”
The Declaration very much aligns with the key objectives of Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy. These include:
Building a stronger leadership position in Europe to become a pivotal player in global chip manufacturing, research and innovation.
Leveraging existing expertise and foster a thriving ecosystem and competitive offering that will continue to attract significant strategic investment, and one that attracts, trains and nurtures high-quality talent.
Building on our strong reputation for semiconductor manufacturing.
Promoting Ireland on a global stage as a prime destination for investment.
Fostering start-ups as a byproduct of continued innovation investment.
Establishing Ireland as a global research and innovation leader across the semiconductor value chain and in the application of semiconductors in the green and digital transitions.
Engaging at EU level throughout the implementation of the ambitious targets of the European Chips Act, as well as actively contributing to development of the European Chips Act 2.0 and via future EU Framework Programmes.
This fresh impetus promises to build on the positive work undertaken by Ireland to date in this regard, with the launch of I-C3 our National Competence Centre and over €70 million invested in Tyndall National Institute's EU pilot lines.