John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Quinlivan for his incisive questions at the many meetings he attended in the Department. In regard to Irish membership of CERN, Innovation 2020 contains an action in this regard and we are already negotiating Ireland's membership options. In January 2016, the then Minister of State with responsibility for skills, Deputy Damien English wrote to CERN in order to commence the process. There have been ongoing discussions between my Department and CERN at both official and ministerial level throughout 2016 and 2017. Officials from the Department, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland visited CERN in 2016. The Director General of CERN visited Dublin and met my predecessor.

The information that has been gathered has provided my officials and me with a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits of CERN, however, the cost of membership is also significant.

The cost of Ireland becoming a full member of CERN is in the region of €15 million per annum. Alternatively, Ireland could become an associate member for 10% of that cost, that is €1.5 million per annum. An associate member enjoys reduced benefits, and reduced access to contracts and enterprise. Based on the significant cost of joining CERN, and the European Southern Observatory, which I know that Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail Party are interested in, we are assessing the money that can be spent on this investment. In my view, if it is possible, I think we should join CERN for the benefits that could accrue. At present, the Department, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland are in discussions. It would be wrong for me to say that we will have the financial wherewithal to do this straight away and join. I know that Deputy Quinlivan has a great interest in Ireland joining CERN and I give him my word that when a decision will be made I will tell him.