The National Microelectronics Research Centre has been chosen to carry out a £2.7 million (€3.4 million) research programme funded by the European Commission aimed at reducing harmful emissions, effluent and waste in the electronics manufacturing sector.

Details of the research package - which is part of a £5.6 million grant to University College Cork under the Commission's Framework 5 Programme - were announced yesterday by Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Dan Wallace.

"The research projects have significant national and international significance and have direct relevance to the Irish industrial profile and to the Cork area," said Mr Wallace, adding that six research projects would be undertaken.