Unified Patent Court referendum
Deputy Stanton asked when legislation and a referendum would come forward so Ireland could ratify and join the Unified Patent Court. The Tánaiste said a referendum would be needed, no date had been set, and preparatory work had begun.
Yesterday, at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, we heard about the Unified Patent Court system and its potential for Ireland. It could be worth between €500,000 and €1.5 billion per annum. There is a need to set up a referendum here to ratify the system.
What is the situation with regard to this referendum? Legislation is required to hold a referendum. Where are we with that? When will we see this legislation?
Comment on this
The European patent court has now been established and is a reality. We have signed the treaty but have not yet ratified it and therefore cannot take part. We want to take part but a referendum will be required. We have not yet set a date for that. It will either be next year or concurrent with the local and European elections the year after that. A unit has been established in my Department to begin preparations for that.