asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended that this country will join any of the following joint undertakings and projects: Dragon, Eurochemic, Food Irradiation International Project and the Computer Program Library.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - International Projects.
45.
By virtue of membership of Euratom, Ireland is participating in the Dragon project. In addition, Ireland has agreed to participate in the European Computer Program Library, but this project has not been implemented as yet.
There are at present no plans to join either Eurochemic or the joint international project in the field of food irradiation.
Is the Minister aware that in a recent OECD publication Ireland is down as not being a member of any of the nuclear committees? Surely now that we are investigating nuclear energy we should consider getting somebody on to these committees so that there can be an exchange of information.
I am aware that the recent OECD publication drew a blank in respect of all these bodies so far as Ireland was concerned but, as I mentioned to the Deputy, by virtue of membership of Euratom, Ireland is participating in the Dragon project. Since the Deputy represented Ireland at Brussels when Ireland acceded to the European Computer Program Library, he will recall that we are involved there to an extent of about £3,000 per year at the moment and very great benefit is coming to this country by reason of computer information and skills which we are getting. As far as being involved in Eurochemic is concerned, the Deputy can be sure that as we are now, in consequence of a Government decision, proceeding in principle towards the establishment of a nuclear power station we will, of course, become more involved in these organisations. In the meantime, I should like to emphasise that we have full access to all information which these organisations have at present. Even though we are not a formal partner we are not a loser.
Perhaps the Minister could arrange for the OECD publication to correct the false impression created in that publication.
We shall see that the computer programme is corrected.
In view of the urgency for the House to get an account of the Sunningdale talks, I propose, with your permission, Sir, to raise the subject matter of Questions Nos. 1 and 2 on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.