Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad we got to this question because I am pleased to give an update. In November, I indicated to the House that my Department would prepare a proposal for the Government to consider joining CERN. Officials from my Department have been liaising with CERN regarding the total cost of membership, the application process and membership options. One option is for Ireland to join CERN as an associate member for a period of between three to five years and then assess the appropriateness of further membership options.

Any formal request by Ireland for membership is likely to involve CERN sending a task force here to carry out a formal assessment of our suitability for associate membership. This is a normal process for any member. In order to ensure appropriate engagement and examination, it is envisaged that a submission will be made to the Government in the second half of the year. It is still my intention to go to the Government in the second half of the year. I have very recently been invited by the director general of CERN to visit and meet with its staff. I intend to do that in the coming months, certainly in the first half of this year, and to make a submission to the Government in the second half of the year. I am very keen to see us join CERN, although I do not want to pre-empt the Government process. Subject to Government approval, it will then be up to CERN to send a task force and so on. We are moving on this and I am eager that we make progress.

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