I move:—
That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Agreement concluded between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America by Exchange of Notes at Dublin on the 24th March, 1960, concerning the acquisition of certain nuclear research and training equipment and materials, a copy of which Agreement was laid on the Table of Dáil Éireann on the 25th March, 1960.
As Deputies are aware, an Agreement for cooperation between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America concerning the peaceful uses of atomic energy was signed at Washington on 16th March, 1956, and entered into force on 9th July, 1958. The text of the Agreement was laid on the table of the House (Pr. 3686).
This Agreement was made as a result of proposals emanating from the Government of the United States which assumed that the Irish Government would wish to pursue, in common with other Governments, an atomic research and development programme of its own, having for its object the peaceful and humanitarian uses of atomic energy, and would therefore for this purpose desire to obtain assistance from the United States.
Animated by the spirit of that Agreement, the United States Government some time ago intimated to the Irish Government that they were preparing a programme to assist friendly governments to procure atomic energy equipment, other than reactors, for peaceful purposes and would be prepared to consider a request from the Government of Ireland for financial assistance in obtaining such equipment. This generous offer was gladly accepted, and following consultations with the University Colleges, a formal request listing our requirements was addressed to the United States Government. As a result, the Agreement which is the subject of this motion was concluded by Exchange of Notes at Dublin on 24th March, 1960.
Under the American programme, the assistance offered is available for a specified integrated and largely self-sufficient assortment of equipment termed "package laboratory" intended for use in nuclear training and research and to supplement existing nuclear research and training.
It is a principal condition of the grant that the Irish Government should undertake to meet the expenses of transporting the equipment from the U.S.A. to the recipient laboratory, to insure the equipment while in transit, to instal and operate the equipment in the recipient laboratories, to indemnify the U.S. Government against all liabilities that might arise in the course of its operation, and to provide the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission with copies of all technical publications deriving from the use of the equipment.
The four University Colleges were consulted as to their needs in the matter and, in response, University College, Dublin; Trinity College, Dublin, and University College, Cork, have applied for equipment valued at approximately £13,000, £24,000 and £70,000, respectively, to meet a variety of graduate and under-graduate requirements of training and research in agriculture, physics, chemistry, medicine, engineering, biology and biochemistry.
The Colleges have agreed to meet the expenses of installing and operating the equipment, and of its insurance, so that the U.S. Government and all who may be concerned will be fully indemnified against any loss or damage arising from its use. They have also agreed to supply the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission with copies of all technical publications deriving from its use. Thus the only financial commitment directly involved for the Government is the cost of transport and insurance while in transit. It is estimated that this may amount to about £5,000. The Government propose that this amount be met out of the Grant Counterpart Reserve Fund.
The Government decided to obtain the approval of Dáil Éireann for the implementation of the Agreement, and I am sure that Deputies will agree that it is desirable that the three Colleges mentioned should be enabled to acquire this equipment. There is no need to underline the importance in this atomic age of training and research in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Those countries that can do so are today exploring the uses of atomic energy to see how this energy can be used for the material progress and well-being of their peoples. It is essential that our students should not be denied the possibility of familiarising themselves with practical developments in this field.
We have, as the Dáil is aware, some very eminent scientists who have distinguished themselves in the realm of nuclear physics, including Professor E.T.S. Walton, who, with Sir John Cockroft, obtained the Nobel Prize for their achievement in being the first to split the atom by artificial means. It is of the highest national importance to provide the requisite training facilities for our young scientists who will, one day, when the peaceful uses of atomic energy are much more widespread than they are at present, be called upon to apply this knowledge to agriculture, industry, science and medicine.
The very generous offer of the American Government which is embodied in the Agreement before the House enables us to take a big step now in preparing ourselves for the future. The Government are deeply appreciative of the friendly sentiments that inspired the American authorities in making this offer. I am sure that I am expressing the sentiments of all members of the Dáil when I say that we are deeply grateful to the American Government for their generosity and trust that the results of this Agreement will be mutually beneficial to our two peoples.
