asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware of the difficulties that the various international organisations concerned with space research in Europe are encountering; and whether there is anything he can do to assist in overcoming them.
Written Answers. - European Space Research.
56.
My Department are kept wellinformed of the current difficulties besetting the various international organisations concerned with space research in Europe. It is hoped that some of these difficulties may be solved at the forthcoming Third Ministerial Space Conference in Bonn. However, because of the economic, technical and financial considerations involved, Ireland has not joined either the European Space Research Organisation or the European Launcher Development Organisation, the two main bodies concerned. We are not therefore in a position to take an active role in solving the difficulties referred to by the Deputy.