John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To be frank, it is. The Department with the help of the members present have been fighting tooth and nail to ensure we get extra funding for the European Space Agency where we get a great return. I have addressed the Cabinet on the issue of joining ESO, which we think is very important for Ireland, our researchers, our universities and our businesses. It has been a tough fight for my officials to make sure we join ESO. We will keep fighting to join CERN. I would be confident that Ireland will be a member of CERN.