asked the Minister for the Marine if he will indicate the way in which Ireland will benefit from the new research and development programme in the field of Marine, Science and Technology, with a budget of £38.5 million over three years, which has been proposed by the European Commission recently.
Written Answers. - Marine Research Projects Funding.
16.
The proposed EC Marine Science and Technology Programme (MAST) will make £38.5 million available over the next three years (1989 - 1991) to bilateral marine research projects. This allocation is for the entire Community, and there are no specific allocations for individual countries. Funds will be assigned as a result of a Community-wide competitive tendering process, which will take place early in 1989.
Irish scientists have been made aware of the forthcoming call for tenders. They will make proposals for funds jointly with EC partners. If they are successful, the total amount of resources allocated to marine research and development in Ireland can be increased.
Sectors eligible to compete for funding are Oceanography, Coastal Zone Science and Engineering, Marine Technology, and supporting initiatives in training and exchange programmes.