The Tánaiste appreciates the great potential that would follow from the establishment of an Irish division of the Unified Patent Court. Such a development would lead to job creation, benefit to SMEs, boost Ireland's innovative performance and contribute up to €1.66 billion to our GDP. We need to pass legislation to allow for a referendum before this can happen. Where is this legislation? Is it intended to hold a referendum on this matter next November at the same time as the other referendums that have been promised?

I agree with Deputy Stanton that it would make sense to pass legislation and then hold a referendum on the Unified Patent Court. I do not have the exact timelines in respect of this matter. I am always cautious about holding two or three referendums on the same day.

People have different views on that, however. You sometimes need a singular view or theme on a given issue in order that there will be a proper debate on the referendum relating to it and that said referendum will be successful. We are holding referendums in November, but there is no reason that would could not hold a referendum on this matter in early 2024. We could just take it on, notwithstanding concerns about whether it would pass or whether people understand the complexities relating to the Unified Patent Court. We will just have to get used to holding referendums.