Luke O'Neill said Ireland's underinvestment in science and research compared to the European average was a concern

The Peaceplus funding will support 96 enterprises in a number of joint innovation projects.

Olivia Humphreys, 24, from Limerick, came up with the invention Athena after her own mother’s battle with cancer.

Christopher Vickers, who is a chemist by profession, says he has invented the formulation which he says is something of the "holy grail"