Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Innovation 2020, the national strategy for research and innovation, recognises that for Ireland to become a global innovation leader, our research and innovation system must be open with strong international collaboration links. Membership of leading international research organisations is an important mechanism for facilitating this engagement. It is particularly important for Ireland as a small county due to the resource-intensive nature of cutting-edge research.

For this reason, the Government gave a specific commitment in Innovation 2020 to initiate discussions with several international research organisations. Four organisations were identified, namely, CERN, the European Southern Observatory, ELIXIR and LOFAR, and membership of three of these organisations has been completed. Ireland continues its consideration of CERN membership. These organisations were identified on the basis of a 2015 study that reviewed the costs and benefits of Ireland's existing and potential independent research organisation memberships.

Under the National Development Plan 2018-2027, as part of Project Ireland 2040, the Government outlined its intention to review Ireland's membership of CERN. In November 2019, the cross-party report by the Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation recommended that negotiations start with CERN immediately with a view to Ireland becoming an associate member as soon as possible. This would generate opportunities not only for Irish enterprise but also for its research community.

While the benefits of CERN membership are recognised as significant, the cost is also significant and must be assessed in the context of other departmental and national investment priorities. Based on indications received from CERN, the eventual cost of Ireland's full membership at 2021 prices would be circa €13.4 million annually. To become a full member, a country must go through an obligatory associate membership in the pre-stage to membership phase for a minimum of two years and maximum of five years. In addition to the annual full membership cost there is a special contribution fee calculated as 1.25 times the cost of the full membership fee. Based on a cost of €13.5 million at 2021 prices, this would mean an amount of €16.8 million would be due on the day a state becomes a full member. There are, however, options for the payment of this special contribution. It may be paid over a defined period, possibly ten years, and 20% of this contribution may be paid via in-kind contributions. An associate membership fee of a minimum of €1.34 million per annum is also possible, based on 10% of full membership cost. An associate membership at a higher percentage of the full membership cost is also possible. In the case of associate membership, the return to Ireland would be capped at the same level as the amount invested.

I acknowledge there are a lot of numbers in my response. Following the establishment of the new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, under the Minister, Deputy Harris, CERN membership will be considered in the context of the programme for Government and competing national investment priorities. Ireland continues its consideration of full and associate CERN membership and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science remains in active regular contact with CERN officials regarding the membership options for Ireland and the associated costs.

The Senator wanted a clear timetable. He believes in science. I am not involved in the figures I have mentioned but I think, given we have joined the three organisations I mentioned, the Senator has made a compelling argument for consideration of joining CERN. There are a lot of figures here that raise competing arguments. I will not go so far as to say those numbers are working against the Senator.