Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be in the Chamber to speak on a scientific topic such as this. It is an area of great interest to me. To paraphrase Deputy Quinlivan, space is the final frontier. There are great opportunities from a commercial point of view. There are also great responsibilities from environmental and peacekeeping perspectives. I join Deputy Catherine Murphy in congratulating the UCD team. It is a fantastic achievement. I believe they are in the Gallery and I say well done ladies and gents. It is outstanding and inspirational work.

It took five years' work. The team designed, built and tested and now they are almost ready to launch Ireland's first satellite, EIRSAT-1. It is a fantastic achievement and we very much look forward to greater details on it. It could be a precursor to something even more ambitious. We do not have any Irish astronauts. There has not been one yet. We know Dr. Norah Patten has put herself forward. She is very motivated, gives many talks and has major qualifications in aeronautical engineering. Has Enterprise Ireland considered establishing a programme to mentor, support and subsidise Irish citizens who may be interested in becoming more competitive for the candidate selection process of the European Space Agency? We have travelled the world. Why do we not travel beyond the world as well? It would be an inspirational goal for many people in primary and secondary school. It would definitely be worth identifying, through a competitive process, ten people who would stand a fighting chance and supporting them as they continue their preparations.

Most people will agree that Shannon Airport is very underutilised. I am not sure whether consideration has been given to offering its services to the European Space Agency as an opportunity for training or even rocket launches. It is on the west coast, close to the Atlantic and it is safe. Rockets, such as booster rockets, can land on barges now. There is an opportunity there if we wish to exploit it. Many people in County Clare recognise the underutilisation of Shannon Airport and this may be an opportunity for the future.

I very much support the two motions on the outer space treaty and the liability convention. Is there any information on where and when the launch will take place? Will it take place in Ireland or abroad? The reason we are discussing this matter is that it will probably impose a cost on the taxpayer. Is there an estimate of that cost? I wish the team every success. I hope this is the start of a wonderful new horizon for Ireland.

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