asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy (a) whether it is the intention of the Government to ratify the European Patents Convention, and if so, when; and (b) the reasons why ratification has been so long delayed.

As I informed the Deputy in reply to a similar question on 7 March 1978, it is the intention of the Government to ratify the European Patents Convention as soon as the necessary enabling legislation is enacted. The measure envisaged for this purpose will also deal with other aspects of patent law and will be a detailed and complex one. The preparation of the draft Bill is now at an advanced stage.