Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
166. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to consider Ireland’s potential membership of the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37612/25]
View answerThe established approach to assessing the case for membership of European research infrastructure consortiums such as arises in relation to the Deputy's question is that the Government Department working in the relevant policy area assesses and advises my Department whether a Government decision on membership should be sought and then manages the relationship with the body to seek to maximise the benefits of membership of the organisation.
For example, Ireland's membership of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, is managed by Met Éireann under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. Ireland's Euro-ARGO membership is managed by the Marine Institute, under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Likewise, Ireland’s membership of the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network is managed by the Health Research Board under the Department of Health.
I understand that the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (EATRIS) is tasked with advancing research in translational medicine by connecting leading European research institutes, that dedicate part of their research and development capacities to share content, tools and knowledge related to research in translational medicine. Consequently, Ireland’s translational medicine research community should, therefore, engage with the Department of Health, who can best assess the benefits and opportunities of membership.
