asked the Minister for Finance the new steps, if any, that have been taken in the last year by the Government with a view to improving international technological co-operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - International Technological Co-operation.
46.
As indicated in reply to a similar question by the Deputy last year, the improving of international technological co-operation is not a matter for isolated action by one country alone. We have, however, continued to contribute to such co-operation by our involvement in the scientific and technological activities of various bodies such as the European Communities, OECD, the Council of Europe, the Conference of West European Science Research Councils and United Nations Agencies.
Particular instances of steps taken during the past year include the following: collaboration in the formulating and finalising of the new policy and related programme of action for science and technology which were adopted by the EEC in January of this year; contributing to the work of the new EEC Energy R + D Group; participation in the work of the EEC Oceanology Subgroup; collaboration in the Biology Health Protection Programme of EURATOM; the signing of an agreement to participate in the EEC project for Selective Dissemination of Information on Metallurgy; participation in the OECD Review of Yugoslav Policy for Science and Technology; a leading part in the work of the OECD Information Policy Group and Computer Utilisation Group; a major contribution towards the work of the OECD Expert Group on R + D Statistics; participation in the OECD studies on Technological Innovation and Technology Assessment; collaboration in the work of the Council of Europe Joint Committee on Scientific Co-operation; and contributions towards the UNESCO Study of Nomenclature of Fields of Science. We have applied for membership of the European Molecular Biology Conference. We have also applied for membership, and have already been accepted as members, of the European Space Foundation.
Would the Minister think it fair to say how much extra money is being spent on technological activities over the same period?
I have not that information to hand.
There is no extra money; it is only a lot of talk.