Unified Patent Court referendum
Deputy David Stanton asked when legislation would be brought forward to enable a referendum on joining the Unified Patent Court. The Tánaiste said the Government intended to hold the referendum and was preparing the necessary primary legislation.
IBEC has stated that the establishment of an Irish local division of the Unified Patent Court would lead to job creation, benefit SMEs and boost Ireland's innovative performance, and could also contribute between €450 million and €1.66 billion to GDP growth. We need to pass legislation to allow for a referendum before this can happen. The general scheme of the Bill was approved in 2014. When will the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment request approval to proceed with the Bill?
Comment on this
We intend to hold the referendum to allow Ireland to join the Unified Patent Court. It is up and running. We would like to join it and we intend to hold the referendum on that, either next year but certainly no later than the local and European elections in 2024. That requires primary legislation in this House, which we are currently preparing.