Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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26. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has engaged with the European Commission seeking a suspension of Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe. [23274/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned by the desperate situation of civilians in Gaza. This remains a central priority for the Government, including at EU level, where Ireland is consistently calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s largest research and innovation programme and encompasses all European Member States as well as 18 Associated Countries from around the world.

Israel became associated to Horizon Europe on the 6th of December 2021 by signing an agreement with the European Commission. This agreement references the EU-Israel Association Agreement established in 2000 as providing the underlying general principles for Israel’s participation.

On February 14th of this year, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission, requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This comprehensive agreement establishes the basic principles of cooperation between the EU and Israel on a wide range of issues, including a framework for participation in European programmes. While this initiative does not enjoy the support of all EU partners, it remains my firm view that the European Commission should respond in a meaningful manner to the Irish-Spanish request. This was further emphasised by the Taoiseach when he met with President von der Leyen on 11 April.

The negotiation process for incorporating new Associated Countries to Horizon Europe is the sole competence of the European Commission. EU Member States and the European Parliament have no formal role in these negotiations and are not required to approve the agreements. Member States also have no legal capacity to suspend or alter these Association Agreements. To date, the European Commission has made no indication they intend to change the status quo with regards to Israel’s participation in these programmes.

The Horizon Europe agreement signed with Israel includes Article 9.8 which limits participation to the areas within Israel’s pre-1967 borders, in line with general EU policy. Israel has been associated to every one of the EU's research and innovation framework programmes since 1996.