Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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22. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Ireland will consider applying to join CERN due to the enormous scientific and research benefits associated with membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49716/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is imperative that our research and innovation system must be open and have strong international collaboration links. Membership of leading international research organisations is an important mechanism for facilitating this engagement.

As part of the Innovation 2020 strategy, the Government committed to initiating discussions with several international research organisations. Four international organisations were identified and prioritised in line with Ireland’s research interests and strengths.

These were the European Southern Observatory and LOFAR, both focused on space research; ELIXIR, which coordinates life sciences data; and CERN, which is focused on physics research.

Since initiating those discussions, Ireland has joined three of the international organisations; the European Southern Observatory, ELIXIR and LOFAR.

While the benefits of CERN membership are recognised, the cost is also significant. The costs and benefits must therefore be assessed in the context of other Departmental and national investment priorities.

We will continue consideration of the available options, including both full and associate CERN membership, in the context of available resources. My Department will also continue to remain in contact with CERN officials.