Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
102. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 94 of 30 March 2023, if he will provide an update on the position regarding Ireland's application to join the CERN programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45803/23]
View answerIn November last year, I indicated in Dáil Éireann that my Department will prepare a proposal for Government to consider joining CERN. Since then, Officials from my Department have been working with CERN to prepare an application for Ireland's associate membership of CERN. I have significant progress to announce as last week funding for CERN associate membership was included in my Department's budget for 2024 and I will now bring a proposal to Cabinet regarding the next steps.
Central to the application process the Department, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has undertaken preparation of the country file required to make a formal application to CERN. This file establishes Ireland's compliance with the criteria for membership. It is envisaged that a formal proposal will then be put to CERN Council for vote at the end of 2023 allowing for time for the formal application to be complied.
In the event of a positive vote, CERN will establish a fact-finding taskforce to examine the application and to visit and engage with the relevant stakeholders in Ireland. The taskforce will submit a report on Ireland's suitability for associate membership to the Director-General and the President of the CERN Council.
Allowing some months for the taskforce process, it is envisaged that the council could make a further vote in mid-2024 on whether to admit Ireland as an associate member. Admission to CERN must be by consensus. An agreement will be brought to Dáil Éireann for ratification, along with the required international protocol. My Department continues to prepare for all of the above steps in the application process.
