Half-Day Symposium Calling for the Creation of the Irish Node

The half day symposium was co-chaired by the IBISBA national delegate John Morrissey and Matthew Halpin of the Irish Ministry supporting IBISBA, the Department of Food Agriculture and the Marine (DAFM).

Nine Irish institutions were represented and online presentations were also by Nicolas Depretre, representing both IBISBA services and the French National Node, and Beatrice Cobucci Ponzano, of the Italian National Node. The delegated discussed progress towards establishing the Irish Node and terms of reference and a methodology for its formation were agreed. There was also extensive discussion around IBISBA itself and progress towards establishing the ERIC. There were updates from various member organisations and also from UCC, which is running the FEDERI project to support establishment of the National Node.

The delegates agreed actions aimed at increasing the interactivity within the node members as well as outward facing steps to bring the node to reality. One key step will be to formulate a Memorandum of Understanding between those organisations keen to establish the node in 2025. The next meeting will be held in January 20205.