asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the part Ireland is playing in the European Science Foundation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Science Foundation.
64.
The European Science Foundation has been established by research councils, academics and other bodies active in the scientific field in a number of European states including the members states of the European Communities. The role of the foundation is to advance co-operation between European organisations in the support of basic research and to facilitate the harmonisation of research in all branches of science. Three Irish organisations, the National Science Council, the Medical Research Council and the Royal Irish Academy are members of the foundation and Ireland has played a very full role in its establishment. Irish representatives participated in the preliminary discussions preceding the establishment of the foundation and co-operated fully with the preparatory commission set up to decide on the location of a seat for the foundation.
Proposals for the location of the seat of the European Science Foundation in Dublin were prepared by the National Science Council and were presented to the preparatory commission, but the ultimate decision was to locate the seat of the foundation in Strasbourg.
The European Science Foundation held its inaugural meeting in Strasbourg in November 1974. Ireland was represented at this inaugural meeting.
Irish support is also made available in the form of an annual financial contribution to the foundation, to the amount at present approximately £1,100 per annum.