ADDRESS BY MR. NOEL TREACY T.D., MINISTER FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE AT THE PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY FOR A COMPETITION ENTITLED "LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE" ON TUESDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2001 AT 3.00 P.M. IN THE MINERVA SUITE, RDS, DUBLIN

Thank you for inviting me here today, to present the prizes in this fascinating competition entitled "Life in the Universe".

Our Universe is a place of wonders and the possibility that there is other life in the Universe, has always excited the general public and scientists alike.

Throughout history there have been reported sightings of creatures from outer space and science fiction novels and films have become part of our general culture.

The origin of life is a topic that usually provokes strong opinions and vigorous discussions. Our planet teems with a great variety of life, yet how and when did it start? Is there any scientific evidence for other forms of life?

Questions such as these have fascinated people for centuries and the study of the Universe has become one of the most thrilling and challenging pursuits for humankind.

Yet, what is our understanding of this very exciting topic at the beginning of the 21st century? To explore these issues, this exciting competition was organised for secondary school students in the Republic, to research and try to find answers to this age-old question: is there life in the Universe?

As you know this competition is organised by the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the European Space Agency and the European Southern Observatory.

It is part of the "Life in the Universe" Programme, being run in collaboration with the European Commission, for their "European Week of Science and Technology" to be held from 5th to 11th of next month. Already competitions are underway in 23 European countries to find the best projects.

Two winning teams from each country will be invited to a final event at CERN's Headquarters, in Geneva on 8-11 November, 2001; to present their projects to a panel of international experts, at a special three day event devoted to understanding the possibility of other life forms existing in our Universe. This final event will be broadcast all over the world, via the internet.

The object of the European Science and Technology Week, is to improve citizens' knowledge and understanding of science and technology - including the associated benefits for society.

As Minister with responsibility for Science & Technology, our Office oversees a very successful Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Awareness Programme. Indeed, I am delighted to say that this Programme, provided sponsorship for this very worthwhile Competition.

The STI Awareness Programme has been in operation since 1996 and seeks to demonstrate the importance of science, technology and innovation. This Programme is geared very specifically to promoting an awareness of, and interest in, science and technology, among the general public and especially young people, through a series of initiatives, including our own Annual Science Week Ireland, which starts this year on 11th November next. The programme strategy is to deliver the key messages that science, technology and innovation, helps to develop:

• leading edge industry and skilled jobs;
• creativity in our children; and
• exciting career opportunities.

Competitions such as "Life in the Universe", help to make scientific research fun, accessible and practical and at the same time makes our young people more aware of how exciting research can be and the career prospects that it offers.

With Ireland's international competitiveness, becoming increasingly dependent on the scientific and technological skills of its workforce, it is important that more young people are encouraged to take science courses, both in second and third level colleges. Our Department of Education and Science are taking specific steps to promote the study of science and the task force on the physical sciences, chaired by Dr Danny O'Hare, has been set up to address the issue of declining participation rates in the physical sciences at second and third level, throughout our country.

I am very encouraged by the imagination demonstrated by all of the students here, today and I am confident that many of you, will find your participation in this competition, will bring you a step closer, to availing of varied and rewarding career opportunities in scientific and technological fields.

I know from my own experience, that there is a great wealth of talent in the next generation and the knowledge and skills that we give them now, will enable them to make the right decisions in the future.

In conclusion, I would like to wish the winning entries every success in Geneva and I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate the National Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. Ian Elliott, for their hard work and involvement in this worthwhile project.