Overview
- Ireland’s status took effect on 22 October 2025 after ratifying the Associate Membership Agreement and acceding to CERN’s privileges and immunities protocol.
- Irish representatives can now attend meetings of the CERN Council and key committees, including the Finance Committee and the Scientific Policy Committee.
- Irish nationals become eligible to apply for limited‑duration staff roles and for CERN graduate programmes, broadening training and career pathways.
- Irish companies gain access to bid for CERN contracts, creating additional opportunities for industrial collaboration on advanced technologies.
- The agreement was signed in May 2025 by CERN Director‑General Fabiola Gianotti and Irish minister James Lawless, with RTÉ reporting an expected annual cost of about €1.9 million for five years.