Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of Ireland's application to join CERN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16972/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In November last year, I indicated in Dáil Éireann that my Department will prepare a proposal for Government to consider joining CERN. Since then, Officials from my Department have been working with CERN to prepare an application for Ireland's associate membership of CERN. It is envisaged that a formal proposal will be put to CERN Council for vote at the end of 2023 allowing for time for the formal application to be complied and for the requisite multi-annual funding to be secured through the 2024 Estimates process.

Central to the application process, the Department, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has begun preparation of the country file required to make a formal application to CERN. This file establishes Ireland's compliance with the criteria for membership.

No shortcomings have been identified that would prevent Ireland's bid for membership. Extensive consultations will continue in the coming months with the Ireland CERN Users Group, the Institute of Physics, the relevant State agencies and the wider academic community so that the best case can be put forward to represent Irish physics and our wider interests.

The required file will be ready for submission in advance of the CERN Council meeting at the end of this year. While the country file is being completed, progressing Ireland's membership will involve engagement with the Cabinet, the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, the Department of Foreign Affairs, CERN, and ultimately with Dáil Éireann. The associated annual cost of €1.8 million for each of the five years, of the initial period of associate CERN membership, must be secured through the Estimates process before Ireland can submit an application.

The next possible CERN Council meetings when Ireland’s application will be given preliminary consideration will take place on 5 October to 6 October 2023, and again on 14 December 2023.

In the event of a positive vote, CERN will establish a fact-finding taskforce to examine the application and to visit and engage with the relevant stakeholders in Ireland. The taskforce will submit a report on Ireland's suitability for associate membership to the director general and the president of the CERN Council.

Allowing some months for the taskforce process, it is envisaged that the council could make a further vote in June 2024 on whether to admit Ireland as an associate member. Admission to CERN must be by consensus. An agreement will be brought to Dáil Éireann for ratification, along with the required international protocol. My Department continues to prepare for all of the above steps in the application process.