Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 8

Written Answers. - European State Space Agency.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

44 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he notified the European State Space Agency of his decision to defer payment of the 1993 contribution of the agency; if he has had any negotiations with the Agency since then; the implications of the non-payment of the 1993 contribution for Irish participation during the year in activities sponsored by the agency and the implications of this for jobs in Irish firms; and whether a decision has been taken in principle as to the payment of the 1994 contribution and the likely date of eventual payment of the 1993 contribution.

Enda Kenny

Question:

50 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he notified the European State Space Agency of his decision to defer payment of the 1993 contribution of the agency; if he has had any negotiations with the agency since then; the implications of the non-payment of the 1993 contribution for Irish participation during the year in activities sponsored by the agency and the implications of this for jobs in Irish firms; and whether a decision has been taken in principle as to the payment of the 1994 contribution and the likely date of eventual payment of the 1993 contribution.

Michael Finucane

Question:

56 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he notified the European State Space Agency of his decision to defer payment of the 1993 contribution of the agency; if he has had any negotiations with the agency since then; the implications of the non-payment of the 1993 contribution for Irish participation during the year in activities sponsored by the agency and the implications of this for jobs in Irish firms; and whether a decision has been taken in principle as to the payment of the 1994 contribution and the likely date of eventual payment of the 1993 contribution.

Frank Crowley

Question:

69 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he notified the European State Space Agency of his decision to defer payment of the 1993 contribution of the agency; if he has had any negotiations with the agency since then; the implications of the non-payment of the 1993 contribution for Irish participation during the year in activities sponsored by the agency and the implications of this for jobs in Irish firms; and whether a decision has been taken in principle as to the payment of the 1994 contribution and the likely date of eventual payment of the 1993 contribution.

Donal Carey

Question:

79 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he notified the European State Space Agency of his decision to defer payment of the 1993 contribution of the agency; if he has had any negotiations with the agency since then; the implications of the non-payment of the 1993 contribution for Irish participation during the year in activities sponsored by the agency and the implications of this for jobs in Irish firms; and whether a decision has been taken in principle as to the payment of the 1994 contribution and the likely date of eventual payment of the 1993 contribution.

John Bruton

Question:

86 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he notified the European State Space Agency of his decision to defer payment of the 1993 contribution of the agency; if he has had any negotiations with the agency since then; the implications of the non-payment of the 1993 contribution for Irish participation during the year in activities sponsored by the agency and the implications of this for jobs in Irish firms; and whether a decision has been taken in principle as to the payment of the 1994 contribution and the likely date of eventual payment of the 1993 contribution.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

95 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he notified the European State Space Agency of his decision to defer payment of the 1993 contribution of the agency; if he has had any negotiations with the agency since then; the implications of the non-payment of the 1993 contribution for Irish participation during the year in activities sponsored by the agency and the implications of this for jobs in Irish firms; and whether a decision has been taken in principle as to the payment of the 1994 contribution and the likely date of eventual payment of the 1993 contribution.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 50, 56, 69, 79, 86 and 95 together.

The European Space Agency was advised of Ireland's intention to defer payment of the 1993 contribution following the 1993 budget in February. Officials of my Department are currently involved in ongoing discussions with the agency in regard to deferral of payments.

I would reaffirm what I said in my reply to a similar question on 31 March last, that the Government has not taken any decision to withdraw from the European Space Agency. Such a move would require a formal renunciation of the ESA Convention by the Government and twelve months notice would have to be given. No such notice has been served. What has been done is to defer payment of our 1993 ESA contribution for the moment in view of budgetary constraints.

There are no immediate implications for Irish participants in ESA projects or for jobs in Irish firms.

The question of the eventual payment of the 1993 contribution and the 1994 contribution will be considered by the Government in coming months.