John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We will not be in a position to join CERN in 2018, in case members might think we can reach a deal in July and join in 2018. There will be protracted negotiations that will probably go on until the end of the year. We will most certainly have a look to see where we stand in terms of associate membership or full membership next year. We cannot join in 2018.