I would like to congratulate Nicholas Sammut for his sterling work at Cern - Switzerland on what is tantamount to a mega project.

I equally welcome local media reports that there is considerable interest among Maltese students and scientists who are eager to work at this highly reputable institute.

Purely for information purposes it would be interesting to find out what progress has been registered in the government's attempts to formally engage with this institution.

In the run-up to the general election, the Prime Minister had visited this institute during a lightning visit and even hinted that this will pave the way for Maltese citizens to benefit directly from such synergy by working there.

Way back in January 2008 - to be precise on January 17 - I had asked Lawrence Gonzi whether any formal agreement had been reached with Cern during his visit or whether this merely led to a memorandum of understanding that then still had to lead to a series of intensive and lengthy negotiations before actual collaboration could begin between Malta and Cern itself.

It would be in the public interest where we to be updated of any tangible progress registered since then - eight months later!