Science and Technology Groups

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 October 2014

Wednesday, 15 October 2014

Ceisteanna (32)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

32. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to a publication (details supplied) by the Institute of Physics in Ireland published in June 2014; his views that membership of the European Southern Observatory, ESO, is critical to Ireland's interests in the drive to ensure Ireland's position in the global knowledge economy; his further views that membership of the ESO would bring significant rewards to Ireland, including giving Irish researchers guaranteed access to its facilities and allowing Ireland to compete at the highest international levels and to align its research strategies with those of Europe, thus optimising Ireland's chances of success in Horizon 2020, giving Irish businesses the chance to compete for multimillion euro contracts including in imaging, detectors, computing and microelectronics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39336/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Government’s priority in the area of science, technology and innovation is to implement the recommendations of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise which will see the majority of public research funding aligned with priority areas where we are most likely to get economic and social returns, particularly in the form of jobs.

Ireland's membership of international research organisations must be predicated on whether the benefit of membership, in terms of support to Irish researchers, companies and jobs, justifies the cost involved. I am conscious of the call by the Institute of Physics for Ireland to apply for membership of the European Southern Observatory. The case for joining these organisations must take into account the opportunity costs involved, as payment of any fees would have to come from existing funding, meaning that less funding would be available for our existing research priorities. I have an open mind on the matter and it will come down to what represents best value for taxpayers’ money. My Department’s assessment of Irish membership of international organisations, including ESO, is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in the coming months.