Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the ongoing membership of Israel in Horizon Europe; and if he has sought suspension of Israel's membership or receipt of funds through Horizon arising from ongoing breaches of international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territories including the targeting and destruction of institutes of higher education in Gaza. [1939/24]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. This remains a central priority for the Government, including at EU level, where Ireland is consistently calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
The Framework Programme for Research & Innovation - Horizon Europe - is the European Union’s largest research and innovation programme, with a budget of 95.5 billion euros over its seven year lifetime from 2021 to 2027. The Horizon Europe programme encompasses all European Member States as well as 18 Associated Countries from around the world.
Israel signed a Horizon Europe Association Agreement with the European Commission on the 6th of December 2021, allowing full participation in the framework programme. This Association Agreement includes Article 9.8 which states that the agreement is limited to the areas within Israel’s pre-1967 borders. This clause is in line with general EU policy that does not permit any grants to be awarded to those areas occupied after 1967.
Israel has been associated to every one of the EU's research and innovation framework programmes since 1996.
The negotiation process for incorporating new Associated Countries is the sole competence of the European Commission. EU Member States and the European Parliament have no formal role in these negotiations and are not required to approve the agreements. Member States also have no legal capacity to suspend or alter these Association Agreements. The European Commission have made no indication they intend to change the status quo with regards to Israel’s participation in these programmes.
