9th February 2022
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD today met with Scottish Minister Ivan McKee who is responsible for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise in the Scottish Government. The Ministers discussed the rapid growth in space related industries in Ireland and Scotland and the potential for collaboration across the sector.
Minister English outlined how the space industry is one of growing importance for Ireland:
“The number of Irish based companies engaged with the European Space Agency (ESA) has grown by 58% in the last five years, and Scotland too has experienced significant growth in its domestic space industry in recent years. Through our membership of ESA, Irish companies have been integrally involved in key space projects such as the Solar Orbiter and more recently the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.”
Recognising the potential of this growing industry, Ireland’s National Space Strategy for Enterprise was published in 2019, seeking to support the development of a strong and economically sustainable space-active industry in Ireland.
Minister English continued:
“International collaboration is a key pillar of the National Space Strategy. Indigenous industry and researchers are keen to develop international relationships and to embed their presence in European and global space supply chains. Meetings like today’s are of key importance in driving international awareness of Ireland’s space capabilities, fostering collaboration and supporting our national industry.”
Next week Minister English will attend an informal EU Competitiveness Council and a European Space Agency meeting of Ministers in Toulouse. At the meetings Ministers will discuss policy issues, including a proposal for a space enabled European communications infrastructure, and an exchange of views on how the EU’s world-leading Copernicus programme can be deployed to assist in the fight against climate change.
More information on Ireland’s National Space Strategy for Enterprise is available here: National Space Strategy for Enterprise 2019-2025
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