asked the Taoiseach the cost: (a) to the Government and (b) to other Irish interests of the space craft Ariane 2 which was launched by the European Space Agency and which crashed in French Guyana on 23 May 1980.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Space Craft Cost.
2.
No costs were incurred by the Government or other Irish interests in respect of the vehicle specified by the Deputy.
What is the cost of the overall programme? I have been told that this was one in a series of four such launchings and I should like to be given a figure of the total cost to this country and the benefits that will accrue to us if the series is successful.
The Deputy is correct in saying that four launchings are contemplated in the development phase. We are not involved in the development phase and there is no cost arising to us.
May I take it that the development phase is not being financed by any institution to which we contribute?
No. We contribute to the programme but our contribution is for the other aspect of it and not for this launching.
Is the Taoiseach aware of a newspaper report which indicated that there would be a substantial extra contribution needed from the State in the near future in regard to this programme? Will the Taoiseach comment on that?
We are not involved in this development phase which involves four launchings. One launch was successful and the second was a failure.
Will the Taoiseach explain to the House what he means by "the other aspect" involved?
The agency has three main activities, scientific research, application satellites and development of high technology industry in membership countries. This question relates to the second activity, application satellites, and we are not involved in the development phase of that.