Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. I acknowledge that he did so previously as well. He also raised it at a recent meeting of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party. I also acknowledge the presence of our guests in the Public Gallery from the research community.

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. The Government gave a specific commitment in Innovation 2020 to initiate discussions with several international research organisations. Four organisations were identified - CERN, the ESO, ELIXIR and LOFAR - and securing membership of three of these organisations has now been completed.These organisations were identified based on a 2015 study that reviewed the costs and benefits of Ireland’s existing and potential international research organisation memberships. Impact 2030, the national strategy for research and innovation, undertakes a further review and optimises Ireland’s membership of international research organisations to ensure that our engagement reflects our existing and emerging strategic priorities.

This follows on from the Oireachtas report, The Case for Irish Membership of CERN, published in November 2019. It made three recommendations regarding Ireland’s potential membership of CERN. First, that negotiations start with CERN immediately with a view to Ireland becoming an associate member as soon as possible. Second, that after three years as an associate member of CERN, the Department will conduct a cost-benefit analysis of Ireland’s associate membership of CERN and assess whether there is a case to be made for moving towards full membership. Third, that efforts be made to fund the annual fee for associate membership of CERN from within the business, enterprise and innovation Vote.

The committee found that membership would generate opportunities not only for Irish enterprise, but also for its research community. It noted that membership would bring opportunities for Irish researchers to participate in CERN’s scientific programmes, working at the frontiers of scientific knowledge and using state-of-the-art technology and engineering. Membership would have other benefits, the committee stated. It would also enable researchers and companies in Ireland to collaborate with the best researchers and leading companies across Europe in the development of world-leading technology. Membership would provide new opportunities for Irish researchers to win funding from the EU framework programme, Horizon Europe, through their participation in CERN. Irish citizens would also be eligible for staff positions and fellowships at CERN. The opportunity of a scientific breakthrough and technological advances are significant benefits to CERN membership that do not necessarily give a quantifiable return. However, the committee also noted some concerns with the potential return for Ireland associated with the high cost of full membership. The report therefore considers that associate membership may be a better option. Associate membership would allow Ireland to have a reduced contribution. However, it would also limit the available return and Ireland would not have a say in major decisions taken by CERN.

Since the publication of the report, Irish officials have been in regular contact with CERN. Following the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, active engagement with CERN has continued regarding the membership options for Ireland, the application process and the associated costs. While Ireland has made considerable progress in its participation in international organisations in recent years, it is acknowledged that membership of CERN would be the next step in consolidating that progress.

Current agreed estimates with CERN show that associate membership will cost €1.52 million per annum, subject to indexation, for a period of between three and five years. It should be noted that based on current indications received from CERN, the eventual cost if Ireland were to pursue full membership, at 2022 prices, would be circa €15.2 million annually and a one-off special contribution of about €19.1 million due on the same day a country becomes a full member. While the benefits of CERN membership are recognised as significant, the cost is also significant and must be addressed in the context of other Departmental and national investment priorities.